roRY  op 


• 


A,  ^.. 


WILLIAM    F.    BARTLETT, 


Brig-.  -Gen.  and  Bvt.  Maj.-Gen.  U.S.  Vols. 


THE 


FIFTY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT 


MASSACHUSETTS   VOLUNTEERS 


WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION. 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 


BY 

CAPTAIN    JOHN    ANDERSON, 

(7.S.  Army. 


BOSTON,  MASS.  : 

E.  B.  STILLINGS  &  Co.,  PRINTERS,  55  SUDBURY  STREET. 
1896. 


57  ^ 


TO    THOSE 

HKAVK   OFFICERS   AND   ENLISTED   MEN 
OF    THE 

FIFTY-SEVENTH    MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEERS 

WHO    GAVE    THEIR    LIVES    IN    DEFENCE    OF    OUR 
COUNTRY    THRO F< ill    THE    ULOODY 

STRUGGLE    OF    '01    TO    '05 

THIS    WORK    IS    AFFECTIONATELY    DEDICATED 
BY    THE    AUTHOR 


M205561 


PREFACE. 


To  many,  no  doubt,  it  appears  easy  to  write  a  regimental 
history,  but  experience  proves  it  to  be  a  task  most  diilicult  to 
accomplish. 

For  nearly  two  years  we  have  worked  earnestly  and 
faithfully  to  complete  this  task  for  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachu 
setts  in  the  great  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

We  have  met  with  many  affectionate  encouragements,  but 
we  'have  also  met  with  very  many  positive  discouragements, 
chiefly  in  the  matter  of  obtaining  information  in  relation  to 
those  men  who  had  been  left  by  official  records  as  ' '  missing 
in  action."  The  story  we  would  tell  of  them  will  remain  untold 
until  the  veil  which  hides  our  mortal  vision  is  removed  and  the 
great  scroll  kept  by  the  recording  angel  unrolled  to  those  who 
are  mustered  into  that  grand  army  beyond  the  river. 

There  is  a  sad  pathos  covering  the  word  "unknown,"  yet 
it  speaks  in  tones  of  silent  eloquence  which  will  ever  echo  a 
tender  inquiry  that  can  never  be  answered  save  in  imagination  ; 
yet  such  names  come  to  sanctify  our  memory,  as  their  lives 
were  given  to  our  country,  though  their  deeds  go  unrecorded. 
We  wish  to  express  our  appreciation  of  the  warm  sympathy 
that  has  been  given  us  by  the  widow  of  our  beloved  commander. 


VI  PREFACE. 

Her  modest  words  have  been  an   inspiration  as  we  have  labored 
on  this  work  from  day  to  day. 

It  has  not  been  our  purpose  to  trace  each  individual 
history, —  that  would  have  been  impossible  ;  but  we  have  been 
careful  to  write  only  what  is  warranted  by  facts  and  official 
records,  and  we  hope  our  comrades  will  find  pleasure  in  the 
reading,  though  no  doubt  they  will  be  reminded  of  many  things 
not  mentioned  that  should  have  been  noticed,  and  many  that 
might  have  been  better  written ;  but  the  story  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  is  told  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  and  we  give  it  to  the 
reader,  indulging  the  hope  that  it  may,  in  some  measure, 
lead  to  a  higher  reverence  for  our  American  institutions,  and  a 
greater  love  for  our  flag  and  common,  reunited  country.  If 
these  objects  are  attained  we  shall  feel  that  we  have  not  written 
in  vain,  but  have  been  amply  repaid  for  our  labor ;  and  trust 
these  pages  will  carry  some  lingering  influence,  however  small, 
which  will  reach  down  to  coming  ages  and  live  after  the  vet 
erans  of  the  Civil  War  have  all  passed  away  and  been  laid  to 
rest 

it  By  all  their  Country's  wishes  bless'd  !  " 

THE  AUTHOR. 
THE  BIVOUAC,  BELCHERTOWN,  MASS., 

June  Oth,   189G. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


AT  a  reunion  of  the  old  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Infan 
try,  which  was  held  in  the  city  of  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  IDtli, 
1<S94,  the  subject  of  a  regimental  history  was  favorably  considered 
by  all  present  and  the  matter  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee 
as  follows  :  — 

Capt.  John  Anderson,  U.S.  Army. 
Lieut.  George  E.  Priest  of  Watertown,  Mass. 
Brcvet-Capt.  Charles  II.  Pinkham  of  Worcester,  Mass. 
Chaplain  A.  II.  Dasliiell,  D.D.,  of  Lakewood,  N.J. 
Comrade  J.  Brainerd  Hall  of  Worcester,  Mass. 

The  committee  gave  the  preparation  of  the  history  into  the 
hands  of  Capt.  John  Anderson,  who  accepted  the  task  as  a  matter 
of  love  and  duty,  that  the  record  of  this  regiment  may  be  known 
to  the  generations  that  follow  us. 

In  attempting  to  write  a  correct  history  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers  in  the  great  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  we  fully  realize  the  importance  of  the  work  before  us 
and  of  the  difficulty  presented  at  each  step  in  obtaining  accurate 
data  of  all  the  thrilling  events  in  which  the  old  Fifty-Seventh  was 
engaged.  Special  care  will  be  observed  that  nothing  is  written  which 
is  not  absolutely  true,  although  different  persons  may  see  the  same, 
but  from  different  standpoints  their  narrations  may  differ  and  yet 
all  be  correct.  In  whatever  effort  we  may  put  forth  we  are  con 
stantly  reminded  of  our  inability  to  do  the  subject  justice  ;  and  re 
gret  that  some  one  who  is  better  able  to  wield  "  the  pen  of  a  ready 
writer  "  has  not  undertaken  it ;  but,  the  burden  having  been  placed 
upon  us  by  our  comrades,  we  shall  endeavor  to  employ  the  little 


^111  INTRODUCTORY. 

talent  we  have  towards  a  faithful  and  loyal  performance  of  this 
duty. 

After  a  lapse  of  thirty  years  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  coll 
to  mind  much  that  should  be  written  and  placed  upon  the  pages  of 
history  of  that  gallant  old  regiment  in  whose  record  every  member 
has  reason  for  feeling  a  just  pride.  Many  noble  and  brave  deeds 
will  never  come  to  light ;  they  fill  numberless  "  unknown  "  graves, 
the  unwritten  history  being  much  more  than  will  be  found  written 
upon  these  pages.  The  true  history  has  been  indelibly  stamped 
upon  bloody  fields  of  battle,  which  are  inscribed  in  our  country's 
history,  never  to  be  erased.  While  a  large  majority  of  the  actors 
in  these  tragic  scenes  have  marched  on  to  that  silent,  unseen  land, 
from  whence  their  voices  cannot  be  heard,  the  remaining  minority 
tenderly  cling  to  the  sacred  memories  of  the  long  past  and  feel 
that  something  should  be  recorded  that  can  be  handed  down  to  the 
advancing  lines  of  posterity  as  a  valuable  lesson  in  patriotism  ever 
to  be  remembered. 

This  history  appears  among  the  last  of  regimental  histories  in 
our  State,  and  it  is  hoped  may  find  an  honored  place  among  those 
already  written,  its  gallant  record  entitling  it  to  such  a  place  far 
above  any  ability  we  possess  to  place  it  there  by  the  eloquence  of 
our  pen. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  work  we  have  to  acknowledge  our 
great  indebtedness  to  Rev.  A.  H.  Dashiell,  D.D.,  formerly  Chap 
lain  of  the  regiment,  and  Comrade  J.  Brainerd  Hall  of  Worcester, 
Mass.,  formerly  a  member  of  Company  B,  both  of  whom  have  taken 
a  great  interest  in  it  and  have  presented  us  with  considerable 
manuscript  prepared  by  themselves  with  great  care,  and  which  has 
been  of  great  service  to  us.  Also  many  letters  written  at  the  time 
the  events  were  transpiring. 

Other  comrades  have  contributed  from  the  store  of  their  mem 
ories,  such  incidents  as  came  under  their  personal  observation  ;  but 


INTRODUCTORY.  IX 

apparently  from  a  feeling  of  delicacy  to  speak  of  their  own  deeds, 
many  have  refrained  from  speaking  of  themselves,  thereby  depriv 
ing  us  of  much  matter  that  would,  no  doubt,  be  of  interest  to  the 
reader.  The  lack  of  it  is  not  the  fault  of  the  historian,  who  has 
labored  hard  to  make  this  the  history  of  the  whole  regiment  and 
not  of  a  part.  It  is  our  earnest  endeavor  to  give  place  and  do 
justice  to  every  one,  without  regard  to  rank,  who  served  with  honor 
in  the  regiment. 

We  beg  the  indulgence  of  our  pride  in  connection  with  an 
organization  whose  gallantry  stands  upon  the  pages  of  the  nation's 
history  as  sustaining  one  of  the  heaviest  losses  in  killed  and 
wounded  of  any  regiment  in  the  service  of  the  country  during  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  although  its  length  of  active  service  was  but 
little  over  one  year.  We  also  feel  proud  in  the  record  of  our  gal 
lant  Colonel  (afterwards  General)  William  F.  Bartlett,  who  never 
failed  to  lead  his  command  and  whose  many  wounds  were  evidence 
of  his  heroism.  The  confidence  inspired  by  his  example  was  al 
ways  felt  along  the  whole  line,  as  his  clarion  voice  rang  out,  above 
the  din  of  battle,  "  Forward  Fifty-Seventh."  Even  if  he  could 
not  have  been  heard,  we  knew  his  command  was  always  "For 
ward,"  often  preceded  by  "  Fix  Bayonets  "  or  l'  Double  Quick." 
The  prompt  execution  of  his  commands  he  fully  relied  upon,  and 
never  in  vain. 

War  in  defence  of  one's  country  calls  out  all  that  is  grand 
and  noble  in  a  man's  character  or  exposes  those  mean  traits  of 
selfishness  and  cowardice  which  often  lie  hidden  from  public  view. 
Men  become  heroes  without  realizing  it  and  find,  upon  trial,  those 
qualities  which  they  never  before  dreamed  of  possessing. 

It  often  requires  some  such  emergency  to  thoroughly  arouse 
those  dormant  faculties  and  guide  them  with  judgment  and  discre 
tion.  In  the  course  of  our  war,  of  which  we  are  writing,  there 
were  thousands  of  such  men  and  boys  ;  they  were  found  in  nearly 


X  INTRODUCTORY. 

every  organization.  We  love  and  reverence  the  institutions  of  our 
country.  In  its  history  we  are  proud.  By  the  names  of  patriots 
who  have  died  for  it  we  are  honored,  and  in  its  flag  we  behold  the 
starry  emblem  of  our  nationality  under  which  we  claim  protection 
for  ourselves,  our  homes  and  our  families.  When  this  is  assailed, 
it  calls  out,  not  the  brutal  nature,  but  the  highest  and  noblest 
qualities  of  the  citizen  in  defence  of  what  he  believes  to  be  right 
and  just,  and  he  is  willing  to  undergo  suffering  and  privation,  to 
face  danger  and  even  to  risk  his  life  in  such  a  cause,  with  a  realiz 
ing  sense  that,  with  the  destruction  of  an  organic  form  of  govern 
ment,  based  upon  just  laws  and  institutions  for  the  protection, 
welfare  and  happiness  of  the  people,  the  intellectual,  moral  and 
religious  conditions  of  society  suffer  in  like  proportion.  To  the 
law-abiding  citizen,  therefore,  the  country  is  the  very  foundation 
upon  which  he  builds  all  he  hopes  for  in  this  life,  both  for  himself 
and  children.  In  defending  it,  he  is  defending  his  own  individual 
interests  and  leaving  an  inheritance  of  far  more  value  than  wealth. 

The  pages  of  this  work  are  submitted  to  our  comrades  whose 
friendship  we  have  found  true  in  the  past  and  feel  safe  to  rely  upon 
in  the  future.  To  those,  if  any  there  may  be,  Avho  feel  inclined 
to  criticize,  we  have  only  to  ask  —  ' '  Why  did  you  not  undertake 
it  yourself?  "  The  field  has  been  open  for  many  years.  That  the 
work  might  be  done  better  there  is  no  doubt,  but  that  it  is  done  at 
all  should  be  a  matter  to  be  treated  with  charitable  indulgence. 

Whatever  faults  are  found  to  exist  we  have  tried  to  push  them 
over,  so  that  they  may  lean  towards  tl  virtue's  side." 

No  malice  has  entered  into  the  composition,  but  a  feeling  in 
spired  by  "fraternity,  loyalty  and  charity."  That  it  may  be  re 
ceived  in  the  same  spirit  is  the  earnest  wish  and  prayer  of  the 

author. 

J.  A. 

THE  BIVOUAC,  BELCIIERTOWX,  MASS., 
May  1st,  1896. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 
ORGANIZATION — CAMP  LIFE  AT  WORCESTER  —  ROSTER  OF  OFFICERS. 

CHAPTER    II. 
OFF  FOR  THE  WAR  — INCIDENTS  EN  ROUTE  AND  ON  THE  MARCH. 

CHAPTER    III. 

BATTLE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS  —  CROSSING  THE  RAPIDAN  AND  MOVE 
MENTS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

THE  WILDERNESS  (CONTINUED)  —  LETTERS  AND  INCIDENTS — LIST  OF 
CASUALTIES —  MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA. 

CHAPTER    V. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE  —  POSITION  OF  THE  OPPOSING  ARMIES  BY 
CORPS. 

CHAPTER    VI. 
MOVEMENT  TO  THE  NORTH  ANNA  RIVER — CROSSING  AND  BATTLE. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

MARCH  TO  COLD  HARBOR  TO  INTERPOSE  BETWEEN  LEE  AND  RICHMOND  — 
BATTLE  OF  COLD  HARBOR  —  CROSSING  OF  JAMES  RIVER. 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

MARCH  UPON  PETERSBURG  —  DESCRIPTION  OF  CONFEDERATE  FORTIFICA 
TIONS —  BATTLE  OF  I?TH  OF  JUNE,  1864  —  LIST  OF  CASUALTIES. 

CHAPTER   IX. 

PETERSBURG  MINE  (CRATER) — ORDERS  FOR  THE  ASSAULT  —  REPORT  OF 
COURT  OF  INQUIRY—  PAPERS  FROM  COL.  T.  W.  CLARKE  AND  GEN. 
J.  W.  BARNES  —  COMMENTS  ON  THE  BATTLE. 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   X. 
WELDON   RAILROAD  —  STRENGTH   OF  THE  OPPOSING  ARMIES — ANOTHER 

MOVEMENT    TO     TURN    GENERAL    LEE'S    RlGHT    FLANK—  LlST    OF    CAS 
UALTIES. 

CHAPTER   XI. 

POPLAR  GROVE  CHURCH — LIFE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  —  CONDITION  OF  THE 
TWO  ARMIES. 

CHAPTER   XII. 
HATCHER'S  RUN  —  POSITION  AND  STRENGTH  OF  THE  TWO  ARMIES. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

BATTLE  OF  FORT  STEDMAN  —  LOCATION  OF  FORTS  —  REPORTS  AND  COR 
RESPONDENCE —  LIST  OF  CASUALTIES. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

NEARING  THE  END  —  CAPTURE  OF  PETERSBURG  —  SURRENDER  OF  THE 
ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA  —  INCIDENTS  AND  NARRATIVES  — 
TRANSFER  OF  THE  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS  TO  TENNALLYTOWN. 

CHAPTER    XV. 

COMING  HOME  —  GRAND  REVIEW  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  — 
DISSOLUTION  OF  THE  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS  —  LOSSES  DURING  THE 
WAR. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

nOME MUSTER  OUT  OF  THE  57rii  —  STATISTICAL  RECORD  OF  PRISONERS 

AND  PRISON  LOSSES  OF  FEDERALS  AND  CONFEDERATES   DURING  THE 
WAR. 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
REGIMENTAL  REUNIONS. 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

IN  MEMORIAM — OFFICERS  AND  ENLISTED  MEN  WHO  HAVE  DIED  SINCE 
THE  WAR. 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

STRAGGLERS  —  LETTER  OF  SURG.  W.  V.  WHITE  —  INCIDENTS  —  CORRE 
SPONDENCE  IN  RELATION  TO  THE  ROSTER. 

ROSTER. 


LIST   OF   PORTRAITS. 


GEX.  WILLIAM  F.  BARTLET 
ALFRED  II .  DASHIKLL 
GEORGE  E.  PRIEST 
HENRY  C.  WARD 
JOHN  ANDERSON 

SAMUEL  SOUTHER 

Dr.   WILLIAM  T.  SOUTHER 

J.  II.  CASEY 

C.  F.  PADDOCK 

ALFRED  O.  HITCHCOCK 
JULIUS  M.  TUCKER     . 
GEORGE  EDWARD  BARTON 
LEOPOLD  KARPELES 

CHARLES  L.  CHANDLER 

ALBERT  DOTY 
JOHN  W.  SANDERSON    j. 
EDWIN  I.  COE 
JOHN  II.  COOK 

JOHN  L.  GOODWIN 
ALHERT  PRESCOTT 

EDSON  T.  DRESSER  ] 
GEORGE  H.  HOWE 
LEV i  LAWRENCE 
JOSEPH  W.  GIRD       j 

G.    W.    TOURTELLOT 
N.    B.    MCLAUGHLEN    . 

WILLIAM  SHAFTOE 
CHARLES  II.  PINKHAM 


Frontispiece. 

opposite  page      8 

1C 

38 
48 

54 

80 
94 

"  ^      102 

"      105 

-'      132 

lt      15G 

"      1G2 

"  lt      ICG 

"      190 

'«  224 

"  250 

"  272 

"  288 


Xiv  -LIST    OF    PORTRAITS. 

A.   W.  COOKE  .......        opposite  page  298 

GEORGE  E.  WHITE "     304 

CHARLES  II.   BARNES  320 

WILLARD  Y.  BAKXES  "      828 

RODNEY  I).  LOOMIS    .                  .....  "      33(5 

JAMES  SULLIVAX  342 

W.   II.   WIIIPPLK  352 

JOSEPH  W.  HILL  •'      3G8 


Most  of  the  plates  for  portraits  were  made  by  The  Suffolk  Engrav 
ing  Company  of  Boston.  Some  were  furnished  by  individuals,  which 
explains  why  all  do  not  appear  the  same.  Those  taken  from  old  and 
faded  photographs  could  not  be  made  to  show  as  well  as  those  taken  at 
a  late  date.  Much  time  and  labor  has  been  expended  to  produce  the  best 
results  attainable,  and  it  is  hoped  the  work  will  prove  satisfactory. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT 
MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS. 


THE 

FIFTY- SEVENTH    REGIMENT 

OF 

MASSACHUSETTS   VOLUNTEERS 

IN   THE 

WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION. 


CHAPTER    I. 


ORGANIZATION. 

HE  Fifty- Seventh  Regiment  was  raised  and  organized 
by  Col.  William  F.  Bartlett  (afterwards  Brigadier- 
General  U.S.  Volunteers),  in  the  fall -of  1863  and 
winter  of  1864,  under  the  call  of  President  Lincoln 
for  three  hundred  thousand  volunteers.  For  over  two 
Ions?  years  the  war  had  raged  with  ever  increasing  fury.  It 
had  been  traced  in  sorrow  over  the  length  and  breadth  of 
our  land  ;  hardly  a  family  but  mourned  the  loss  of  some  relative 
or  friend  who  had  fallen  in  battle  or  was  dying  of  slow  starvation 
in  a  Southern  prison.  Every  town  and  city  had  passed  under  the 
rod  of  atlliction  and  had  drunk  from  the  bitter  dregs  of  cruel, 
relentless  war;  and  still  the  dark,  gathering  clouds  predicted 
that  the  storm  was  not  yet  over,  but  was  again  to  burst  out  in  a 
grander  and  even  more  destructive  form.  It  seemed  that  the 
strength  of  the  nation  wras  well-nigh  exhausted  ;  even  some  of  the 
ablest  and  most  patriotic  men  began  to  doubt  and  shrink  in 
horror  from  the  farther  effusion  of  blood,  but  still  the  mighty 
waves  of  loyalty  continued  rolling  on  to  the  front,  only  to  be 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

dashed  against  the  impetuous  tide  of  Southern  valor,  often  being- 
broken  and  beaten  back,  yet  gaining  stronger  impetus  from  the 
patriotic  North  for  a  renewal  of  the  conflict. 

During  the  year  1863  our  arms  had  gained  more  victories 
than  suffered  defeats,  yet  the  times  were  dark  and  gloomy. 
Our  currency  had  depreciated  in  value  to  an  alarming  extent,  and 
the  cost  of  food  and  raiment  had  advanced  to  fabulous  prices ; 
while  all  felt  that  the  struggle  was  not  yet  over,  but  that  one 
grand  and  mighty  blow  remained  to  be  struck  before  we  could 
look  for  the  dawn  of  a  permanent  and  honorable  peace. 

The  Confederate  armies  were  still  numerous ;  strong,  efficient 
and  skilfully  commanded.  We  must  give  them  credit  for  a  self- 
sacrificing  devotion  to  their  cause  and  a  bravery,  even  to  despera 
tion,  that  was  the  admiration  of  the  whole  world.  They  battled, 
as  most  of  them  believed,  in  defense  of  their  country,  their 
property  and  their  homes,  yet  history  records  that  they  fought  and 
died  for  the  institution  of  slavery. 

In  our  own  midst  we  had  the  "  Peace  Party,"  "Peace  at  any 
Price,"  "  Butternuts  "  and  "Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle"  in  the 
Central  Western  States,  the  turbulent  Indians  of  the  west  and 
northwest,  with  the  Province  of  Canada  along  our  whole  northern 
border  which  furnished  an  asylum  for  all  the  malcontents  and 
enemies  of  our  government,  affording  them  means  and  protecting 
them  in  making  raids  for  the  purpose  of  robbery  upon  our  de 
fenseless  northern  cities.  Added  to  all  this  we  had  one  of  the 
most  powerful  nations  of  the  world,  Great  Britain,  not  only  sym 
pathizing  with  the  Confederacy,  but  actually  building  ships  of 
war  for  the  destruction  of  our  commerce  and  rendering  all  the 
moral  and  physical  support  to  the  Confederacy,  as  far  as  could 
be  done  without  an  actual  war  with  the  United  States ;  while  the 
powerful  country  of  France  was  endeavoring  to  obtain  a  per 
manent  foothold  in  Mexico,  upon  our  southern  border,  with  a 
view,  under  the  ambition  of  Napoleon  III.,  of  establishing  a  vast 
empire  upon  this  continent,  which  should  overshadow  our  Repub 
lic  and  finally  overthrow  our  government. 

All  these  elements  entered  into  the  political  and  military 
conditions  of  our  affairs  in  1863  and  1864. 


ORGANIZATION.  O 

In  view  of  all  this  can  any  one  discern  the  great  advantage  it 
is  claimed  that  the  North  possessed  over  the  South?  One  was  the 
attacking  party  while  the  other  stood  upon  the  defensive,  offensive  ; 
operating  in  their  own  country  where  they  had  the  full  sympathy 
of  the  people  in  aiding  them  to  their  utmost  ability  by  furnishing 
supplies  and  the  needed  information  of  the  movements  of  the  Fed 
eral  armies,  an  important  factor  in  war,  which  the  North  did  not 
possess.  That  we  had  a  preponderance  of  numbers  is  a  fact  which 
no  one  will  presume  to  deny,  but  the  many  advantages  possessed 
by  the  other  side  were  sufficient  to  offset  all  this.  This  is  a  matter 
often  overlooked  by  writers  who  treat  upon  the  history  of  the  war. 
It  has  been  so  often  said  :  "•  overpowered  by  sheer  force  of  num 
bers." 

Any  one  familiar  with  military  science  knows  that  military 
strength  is  not  estimated  by  numbers  but  in  the  character  of 
the  men  and  the  way  they  are  handled.  An  unskilful  com 
mander  would  doubtless  suffer  defeat  with  any  army,  while  the 
most  skilful  general  that  ever  lived  could  not  expect  to  win  vic 
tories  with  an  army  of  cowards,  however  great  it  might  be.  The 
greater  the  number  the  more  sure  of  disaster  when  opposed  by 
brave  men. 

The  coming  year  was  to  witness  a  life  and  death  struggle. 
The  immortal  Lincoln,  never  wavering,  again  called  upon  the  loyal 
citizens  for  three  hundred  thousand  volunteers,  and  trusted,  not  in 
vain,  that  American  patriotism  was  not  yet  dead,  but  would  respond 
to  the  call. 

Those  who  cast  their  fortunes  with  the  Fifty- Seventh  at  that 
time  realized  the  dangers  they  were  to  encounter,  but  placed  their 
sense  of  duty  and  love  of  country  above  all  personal  considera 
tions.  In  response  to  the  President's  call  they  left  home  and 
friends,  joined  the  grand  army  and  inarched  forward  to  that  famil 
iar  old  refrain  which  every  old  soldier  so  wrell  remembers  :  "  We're 
coming,  Father  Abraham,  three  hundred  thousand  strong. " 

The  Fifty- Seventh  was  one  of  the  four  veteran  regiments  pro 
jected  by  Governor  Andrew  and  so  called  because  they  were 
largely  composed  of  those  who  had  seen  previous  service.  Very 
nearly  all  the  officers  had  seen  active  service  in  some  other  organi- 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

zation  and  bad  made  good  records,  the  evidence  of  which  was  one 
of  the  requirements  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  lief  ore 
becoming  the  happy  possessor  of  a  commission. 

The  regiment  was  largely  recruited  in  Worcester,  Hampden 
and  Berkshire  counties,  the  former  furnishing  by  far  the  most 
men.  In  the  fall  of  18G3  and  early  in  1864  William  Francis  Bart- 
lett,  formerly  Colonel  of  the  Forty-Ninth  Massachusetts,  was  given 
command  of  the  regiment.  Temporary  barracks  were  constructed 
about  one  half  mile  south  of  the  Boston  &  Albany  Railroad  and 
near  the  Norwich  Railroad,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the 
city  of  Worcester. 

The  camp  was  beautifully  located  on  high,  rolling  ground 
where  there  was  ample  space  for  drills  and  parades,  and  desig 
nated  as  "  Camp  John  E.  Wool." 

The  first  company  to  complete  its  complement  and  go  into 
camp  was  Company  A,  commanded  by  Capt.  John  W.  Sanderson, 
the  other  officers  being  1st  Lieut.  Samuel  M.  Bowman  and 
2d  Lieut.  Edwin  I.  Coe.  It  was  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States  Jan.  4th,  1864.  Several  other  companies  soon 
filled  up  their  ranks  and  were  mustered  in  the  following 
order  —  B,  II,  E,  D,  F,  I,  G  and  K,  the  last  named  being  mus 
tered  April  6,  with  only  one  officer. 

The  recruiting  continued  until  April  17th,  when  the  regiment 
gradually  attained  its  full  strength.  The  Roster  of  Commissioned 
Officers  at  that  time  stood  as  follows  :  - 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Col.  William  F.  Bartlett  of  Boston. 

Lieut. -Col.  Edward  P.  Hollister  of  Pittsfield. 

Maj.  James  W.  Gushing  of  Roxbury. 

Surgeon  Whitman  V.  White  of  Stockbriclge. 

Asst.  Surgeon  Charles  E.  Heath  of  Monterey. 

Chaplain  Alfred  H.  Dashiell,  Jr.,  of  Stockbridge. 

1st  Lieut.  George  E.  Priest  (Quartermaster)  of  Watei'town. 

1st  Lieut.  George  E.  Barton  (Acting  Adjutant)  of  Worcester. 

COMPANY  A. 

Capt.  John  W.  Sanderson  of  Westborough. 
1st  Lieut.  Samuel  M.  Bowman  of  Clinton. 
2cl  Lieut.  Edwin  I.  Coe  of  Worcester. 


ORGANIZATION. 


COMPANY  B 

Capt.  Joseph  W.  Gird  of  Worcester. 
1st  Lieut.  E.  Dexter  Cheney  of  Worcester. 
2d  Lieut.  George  S.  Greene  of  Springfield. 

COMPANY  C. 

Capt    Charles  D   Hollis  of  Lynn 
1st  Lieut.  George  E.  Barton  of  Worcester. 
2d  Lieut    Charles  IT.  Royce  of  Pittsfleld. 

COMPANY  I). 

Capt.  Edson  T.  Dresser  of  Stockbridge. 
1st  Lieut.  Edward  S.  Dewey  of  Greenfield 
2d  Lieut.  James  Peacock  of  Worcester. 

COMPANY  E. 

Capt   George  H.  Howe  of  Monson. 
1st  Lieut.  John  H.  Cook  of  Northampton. 
2d  Lieut.  John  Anderson  of  Holland. 

COMPANY  F. 

Capt.  Levi  Lawrence  of  Fitchburg. 
1st  Lieut.  Charles  Barker  of  Fitchburg. 
2d  Lieut.  Alfred  ()    Hitchcock  of  Fitchburg. 

COMPANY  G. 

Capt.  James  Doherty  of  Boston. 
1st  Lieut.  Henry  C.  Ward  of  Worcester. 
2d  Lieut.  Henry  B    Fiske  of  Springfield . 

COMPANY  II. 

Capt.  Julius  M.  Tucker  of  Worcester. 
1st  Lieut,  John  L.  Goodwin  of  Worcester. 
2d  Lieut.  James  W   Kennay  of  Boston. 

COMPANY  I. 

Capt.  Albert  Prescott  of  Charlestown. 
1st  Lieut.  Albert  W.  Cook  of  Milford. 
2d  Lieut.  John  Reade  of  Milford 

COMPANY  K, 

No  Captain  designated. 

1st  Lieut.  Edwin  Kimball,  who  declined  commission  and  never 

served  with  the  regiment. 
2d  Lieut  James  M.  Childs  of  Worcester. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 
NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

Sergt.-Maj.  Albert  M.  Murdock  of  West  Boylston. 
Commissary  Sergt.  David  E.  Lawry  of  Worcester. 
Q.-M    Sergt.  James  A.  Bobbins  of  Watertown. 
Hospital  Steward  Henry  G.  Front  of  Great  Barrington. 

Company  K  was  the  last  company  to  be  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  and  was  to  be  armed  with  the  Spencer 
repeating  rifle  and  employed  as  sharpshooters.  It  had  no  captain 
in  command  prior  to  leaving  the  State,  but  was  temporarily  under 
command  of  1st  Lieut.  John  H.  Cook  of  Co.  E,  with  2d  Lieut. 
J.  M.  Childs. 

The  rifles  could  not  be  obtained  at  that  time,  hence  Lieu 
tenant  Cook  was  left  behind  to  obtain  them,  but  was  unable  to 
secure  them  in  time  to  reach  the  regiment  until  June  17th.  In  the 
meantime  the  company  was  armed  with  the  old  Springfield  rifle. 

These  were  busy  and  exciting  times  never  to  be  forgotten. 
The  various  oflicers  detailed  to  recruit  the  companies  reported  for 
duty  with  their  squads  of  recruits.  The  companies  filled  their 
complement  and  were  ready  to  be  mustered  in,  and  the  work  of 
converting  the  raw  material  into  well  drilled  and  disciplined 
soldiers  began. 

The  city  of  Worcester  then,  as  in  the  days  of  1776,  as  it 
always  has  been  and  is  now,  was  intensely  loyal,  and  sent  some  of 
her  best  and  noblest  sons  into  the  ranks  as  recruits  and  always 
took  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  regiment.  The  ladies 
frequently  visited  the  camp  bringing  dainty  edibles  to  help  fill  out 
the  army  rations,  the  private  soldier  receiving  such  attentions  more 
particularly  than  the  officer.  Wherever  the  army  blue  was  seen, 
either  on  the  streets  or  in  private  houses,  it  was  respected.  As  a 
matter  of  course,  it  followed  that  we  all  became  very  much  attached 
to  the  city.  The  attachment  became  so  strong  that  many,  yes, 
very  many  of  the  "  boys"  went  on  little  escapades  after  nightfall, 
crossing  the  guard  line  without  permission,  and  report,  which  was 
generally  believed,  had  it,  that  they  went  to  see  some  friends,  or, 
perhaps,  sweethearts.  It  was  even  rumored  that  some  of  the 
younger  officers  indulged  in  such  pranks,  but,  as  none  of  them 


ORGANIZATION.  I 

were  caught,  there  seemed  to  be  a  lack  of  evidence  sufficient  to 
make  history.  However  that  may  be,  we  have  all  grown  older  and 
gray  since  those  times  and,  as  a  matter  of  duty  which  youth  owes 
to  age,  have  repented  of  these  follies,  although  we  feel  that  there 
were  some  extenuating  circumstances  when  we  remember  the 
veteran  "  Blue  Beard,  "  who  was  usually  left  in  command  when 
the  day's  exercises  were  over.  To  ask  permission  of  him  to  visit 
the  city  was  like  u  bearding  the  lion  in  his  den."  Leaving  his 
presence  with  the  invariable  refusal,  one's  disappointment  found 
some  comfort  in  the  thought  that  he  would  make  quick  work  with 
the  rebel  hosts  if  he  should  ever  be  turned  loose  in  their  midst 
while  in  such  a  savage  disposition.  It  was  also  an  assurance  that 
he  would  do  all  the  fighting  for  the  whole  regiment.  This  gave  a 
feeling  of  security  which  was  carried  along  to  the  front.  If  any 
reached  the  city  after  that  they  were  well  cared  for  and  returned 
to  camp  in  safety  before  morning,  and,  in  spite  of  all,  made  brave 
soldiers  when  the  shock  of  battle  came. 

With  all  the  pleasant  memories  we  cherish  of  Worcester  it  is 
not  strange  that  we  still  turn  towards  it  as  the  most  fitting  place 
for  the  regimental  reunions. 

The  barracks  were  temporary  buildings  erected  of  rough 
pine,  with  no  limit  as  to  ventilation  ;  no  beds.  The  men  slept  by 
twos  and  threes,  or  in  any  other  way  most  convenient  for  them, 
upon  hard  board  platforms,  which  grew  harder  and  harder  through 
the  cold  winter  nights.  When  aching  bones  on  one  side  called 
for  a  change  of  position  all  had  to  turn  together.  This,  to  many, 
was  the  first  taste  of  soldier  life,  but  it  was  one  of  incomparable 
luxury  to  that  which  was  in  store. 

Men  were  detailed  for  cooks,  often  without  any  previous- 
knowledge  of  this  art,  and  no  one  seemed  to  know  how  to  econo 
mize  the  government  ration,  but,  at  that  time,  the  necessity  for  it 
was  not  as  apparent  as  it  became  later. 

The  quartermaster's  department  was  established,  under  the 
direction  of  Lieut.  George  E.  Priest,  with  the  arrival  of  the  first 
detachment  of  recruits,  and  commenced  the  issue  of  clothing  and 
rations.  Any  one  who  ever  filled  the  position  of  quartermaster 
knows  that  it  is  one  not  only  requiring  ability  but  more  patience 


O  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

than  was  ever  credited  to  Job  of  olden  times,  yet  the  quarter 
master  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  had  sufficient  to  sustain  him  through 
all  his  trials  and  was  always  found  pleasant,  affable,  and  tireless 
in  his  efforts  to  make  every  one  comfortable  with  the  limited 
means  at  his  disposal.  Be  it  said  of  him  that  he  persevered  even 
unto  the  end  and  then  found  his  reward,  not  in  worldly  goods,  but 
in  the  sincere  love  of  all  his  comrades. 

The  duty  roster  was  not  very  arduous.  Reveille  soon  after 
daylight,  when  every  man  had  to  form  in  line  and  answer  as  his 
name  was  called,  then  bunks  and  bedding  had  to  be  put  in  order. 
This  was  followed  by  the  breakfast  call.  Soon  after  that  came 
sick  call  and  then  cleaning  up  the  quarters  and  grounds  and  cutting- 
wood  for  the  day.  Next  was  guard  mounting  ;  a  certain  number 
of  men  being  detailed  from  each  company  in  proportion  to  the 
number  reported  for  duty,  when  the  several  details  would  be 
formed  on  the  parade  ground  by  the  sergeant-major  and  reported 
to  the  adjutant  who  verified  the  number  of  men  and  assigned  the 
different  non-commissioned  officers  to  their  places  with  the  guard. 
A  lieutenant  was  detailed  for  officer  of  the  guard,  whose  duty  was 
to  inspect  it  carefully  and  then  march  it  to  the  guardhouse  where 
it  was  divided  into  three  reliefs,  with  one  non-commissioned 
officer,  usually  a  corporal,  to  each.  The  old  guard  was  then 
relieved  and  marched  off  to  their  quarters.  The  guard  remained 
on  duty  twenty-four  hours,  each  relief  standing  post  two  hours, 
which  gave  them  two  hours  on  duty  and  four  off,  night-time  in 
cluded.  The  officer  of  the  guard  was  held  responsible  for  the 
proper  instruction  of  his  sentinels  and  had  to  visit  them  while  on 
post  to  see  that  they  were  properly  performing  their  duty.  This 
officer  had  to  remain  with  his  guard  during  the  twenty- four  hours  ; 
another  officer,  usually  a  captain,  was  detailed  as  officer  of  the 
day.  It  was  his  duty  to  inspect  the  guard  as  often  as  he  might 
deem  necessary  during  the  day  and  night  and  to  have  charge  of 
the  general  good  order  and  cleanliness  of  the  camp. 

After  guard  mounting  there  would  be  drill,  if  the  weather 
permitted,  of  two  hours.  At  precisely  twelve  noon  came  dinner 
call.  Most  of  the  afternoon  was  devoted  to  some  kind  of  practical 
or  theoretical  instruction,  as  the  condition  of  the  weather  would 


ALFRED    H.    DASHIELL, 


Chaplain  57th  Mass. 


ORGANIZATION.  i* 

permit.  This  was  followed  in  pleasant  weather  by  a  dress  parade 
under  the  supervision  of  the  regimental  commander,  which  termi 
nated  all  the  duties  of  the  day,  except  guard  duty.  Supper 
followed  directly  after  parade,  and  at  nine  o'clock  tattoo,  when  the 
roll  was  again  called  and  the  men  supposed  to  go  to  bed.  "  Taps  " 
came  one  half  hour  later  when  all  lights  had  to  be  extinguished 
and  the  men  were  supposed  to  wrap  themselves  in  their  blankets 
and  quietly  fall  asleep.  The  latter  supposition  is  not  beyond 
question,  but  the  burden  of  this  offense  was  in  being  caught. 

Thus  the  months  while  awaiting  marching  orders  passed 
rapidly  and  profitably  to  both  officers  and  men.  There  was  very 
little  friction ;  every  one  took  hold  with  zeal  to  learn  the  duties  of 
a  soldier. 

The  officers  became  acquainted  with  each  other  and  with  their 
own  men  and  the  men  not  only  learned  the  manual  of  arms,  but 
imbibed  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  duty  and  obedience  to  orders, 
which  they  carried  with  them  into  the  field. 

Under  the  guidance  of  Colonel  Bartlett  all  were  drawn  into 
closer  relations  of  fellowship  which  led  to  that  esprit  de  corps, 
which  existed  during  the  war  and  has  a  firmer  hold  upon  our 
hearts  now.  A  lack  of  this  feeling  will  take  the  very  life  out  of 
any  organization. 

There  were  many  manifestations  of  attachment  by  the  men  to 
their  officers  and  numerous  presentations  of  side  arms  made.  The 
camp  was  frequently  enlivened  through  the  winter  by  these  cere 
monials  in  which  the  officers  were  honored  and  mutual  feelings  of 
confidence  established. 

On  the  28th  of  March  Colonel  Bartlett  was  presented  with  a 
sword  by  his  fellow  citizens  of  Winthrop  in  the  presence  of 
Governor  Andrew  and  staff,  in  the  town  hall  of  Winthrop,  where 
Mr.  Emerson  made  the  presentation  speech,  in  which  the  previous 
career  of  Colonel  Bartlett  was  very  justly  eulogized,  and  the 
Governor  characterized  him  as  one  of  "the  most  conspicuous 
soldiers  of  New  England." 

The  first  public  appearance  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  as  an  organi 
zation  was  on  Monday,  Feb.  1st,  1864,  when  five  companies, 
under  command  of  Lieut. -Col.  E.  P.  Hollister,  marched  to  the 


10 


FIFTY-SKY  KNTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


city  of  Worcester  where  it  formed  part  of  the  escort  at  the  public 
reception  of  the  re-enlisted  members  of  the  21st  Massachusetts 
who  had  returned  from  the  seat  of  war  on  veteran  furlough. 

February  20th  seven  companies  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hollister,  joined  the  citizens  of 
Worcester  as  an  escort  at  the  public  reception  tendered  the  re- 
enlisted  men  of  the  25th  Massachusetts,  who  had  also  returned 
on  veteran  furlough. 

February  16th  showed  seven  hundred  men  in  camp  and  the 
morning  report  of  March  2d  eight  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
present. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1864,  Colonel  Bartlett  formed  the  line 
of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  for  the  first  time.  Thursday, 
April  7th,  1864,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  the  regi 
ment.  Under  command  of  Colonel  Bartlett  it  marched  in  full 
uniform  to  the  common  in  the  city  of  Worcester  for  dress  parade, 
after  which  a  committee  of  ladies  of  the  city  presented  a  flag.  It 
was  a  beautiful  specimen  of  the  National  colors  and  was  received 
by  Colonel  Bartlett  in  behalf  of  the  regiment  from  the  hands  of 
Miss  Frances  M.  Lincoln,  daughter  of  Hon.  D.  Waldo  Lincoln,  who 
was  then  Mayor  of  Worcester.  The  ceremony  was  a  very  impres 
sive  one.  The  day  was  lovely,  the  air  soft  and  balmy,  the  snow 
had  mostly  disappeared  and  the  common  presented  a  fresh,  green 
appearance,  as  warmed  by  the  bright  April  sun.  The  budding 
trees  and  opening  plants  seemed  to  speak  of  a  new  birth  and  a 
new  life  through  the  evolutionary  process  of  nature,  and  amid 
such  scenes  a  regiment  of  young  soldiers  was  being  decorated  for 
the  purpose  of  war.  A  large  concourse  of  citizens  had  assembled 
to  witness  the  parade.  The  flag  presentation  was  an  impromptu 
affair  and  wholly  unexpected.  It  had  been  reserved  for  some 
future  occasion,  but  the  day  being  so  bright,  it  was  decided,  as 
the  regiment  was  seen  marching  in,  to  present  the  flag  then  and 
there.  No  speeches  had  been  prepared  on  either  side  ;  the  affair 
being  wholly  informal  was  all  the  more  appreciated.  Miss 
Lincoln  was  tall,  with  rather  a  slender  figure.  Stepping  grace 
fully  forward  from  a  group  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  among  whom 
was  her  father,  she  passed  the  flag  into  the  hands  of  Colonel 


ORGANIZATION. 


11 


Bartlett  with  a  few  words  that  could  not  be  heard  in  the  line. 
As  she  did  so,  the  flag  gently  unfolded  and  gracefully  floated  out 
upon  the  evening  breeze  and  was  received  by  the  regiment  with 
hearty  cheers. 

Miss  Lincoln  says  of  the  affair  that  she  cannot  remember 
just  what  she  said  at  the  time,  but  that  she  presented  the  flag  in 
the  name  of  the  ladies  of  Worcester,  and  that  she  was  no  more 
embarrassed  than  Colonel  Bartlett.  She  is  pleased  to  add:  "I 
was  very  proud  of  being  allowed  to  do  so  much  for  the  old  Fifty- 
Seventh ;  the  honor  to  me  was  very  great."  We  often  find  an 
inspiring  eloquence  in  deeds  more  enduring  than  in  words.  It 
was  so  here.  There  seemed  to  be  something  in  the  occasion  that 
stirred  the  hearts  of  all  who  stood  in  that  long  line  of  army  blue, 
and  a  new  charm  was  added  to  that  dear  old  flag.  Even  the 
smiles  of  nature  seemed  in  harmony  to  add  a  higher  sense  of 
duty  towards  it  and  a  greater  love  for  it.  The  oath  of  enlistment 
encircles  one  with  a  solemn  obligation  to  serve  his  country 
"  honestly  and  faithfully."  This  ceremony  seemed  to  consecrate 
that  obligation  and  raise  it  into  a  purer  atmosphere  of  devotion  to 
the  flag,  to  follow  it  manfully  and  bravely,  to  uphold  it  in  the 
fierce  conflict  of  battle  and  even  to  die  for  it.  It  appeared  not 
only  as  the  emblem  of  our  common  country,  but  as  another  link 
binding  us  to  friends  who  took  such  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  those  who  were  going  forth  to  do  battle  for  the  preservation 
and  honor  of  the  nation,  and  another  tie  binding  our  hearts  to 
the  fair  ladies  and  loyal  city  of  Worcester.  If  Miss  Lincoln  felt 
it  an  honor  to  present  the  flag,  the  regiment  appreciated  the 
honor  it  received  at  her  hands  and  defended  it  upon  many  bloody 
fields. 

On  Thursday,  April  14th,  the  regiment  was  honored  by  a  visit 
from  His  P^xcelleucy,  Gov.  John  A.  Andrew,  accompanied  by  his 
Staff.  The  line  was  formed  at  eleven  o'clock  A.M.,  and  after 
going  through  various  evolutions  and  passing  in  review,  it  formed 
in  a  hollow  square,  when  the  State  and  National  flags  were  pre 
sented  by  His  Excellency  who  made  an  eloquent  and  patriotic 
address,  which  is  given  here  in  full,  as  well  worthy  the  space 
accorded  it :  — 


12 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


"Colonel  Bartlett,  Massachusetts  commits  today  to  the 
hands  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Regiment  of  Infantry  Volunteers,  the 
flag  of  the  United  States  and  the  State  colors  of  the  Common 
wealth,  to  be  borne  hereafter  by  your  command,  on  those  fields 
where  you  shall  conduct  them,  to  carry  on  the  struggle  for  the 
maintenance  of  government  and  the  perpetuation  of  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  the  people.  From  the  rich  and  rural  heart  of  Massa 
chusetts,  whence  have  marched  already  many  of  her  sons  during 
the  present  war,  she  is  now  to  send  a  new  battalion,  numbering 
in  its  ranks  many  of  her  most  precious  and  hopeful  sons,  as  she 
has  already  surrendered  others  to  her  country. 

"  AVe  commit  these  sacred  emblems  to  your  hands  with  a 
confidence  never  surpassed,  for  you  and  many  of  your  command 
are  veteran  soldiers.  Many  of  your  regiment  have  already  faced 
the  foe,  as  you,  on  many  fields,  have  done.  We  address  you 
confidently  —  soldiers  of  tried  valor  and  large  experience  are 
before  us. 

"•  It  is  an  interesting  period  which  calls  you,  Mr.  Commander, 
for  the  third  time  to  draw  your  sword.  Three  years,  more  than 
one-third  the  time  occupied  by  our  fathers  in  the  old  Revolutionary 
War,  have  passed  in  our  battle  with  the  unhallowed  and  unjust 
revolt.  The  consequences  to  mankind,  the  mark  which  is  made 
in  history  by  the  struggle  of  right  with  unparalleled  wrong,  will 
itself  never  find  a  parallel  in  achievements  of  the  past.  It  was 
for  independence  our  fathers  fought ;  we  for  liberty  and  civiliza 
tion. 

44  You  will  join  an  army  of  three  years'  experience,  composed 
of  tried  and  veteran  troops  who  on  many  fields  have  proved  their 
tenacity  and  strength  of  intellect  and  body. 

"AVhen  we  consider  the  vast  resources  of  the  nation,  the 
numbers  of  soldiers  of  whom  the  army  is  composed,  and  the 
capacity  of  the  officers  by  whom  they  are  led,  we  feel  that  they 
can  challenge  comparison  with  any  in  the  world.  And  3^011 ,  Mr. 
Commander,  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  they  are  to  be 
combined  and  led  by  an  officer  whose  successes  have  run  current 
with  the  fortunes  of  the  war,  and  in  view  of  whose  illustrious  ser 
vices  already  given,  we  may  cherish  the  fond  and  pious  hope  and 
aspirations  that  God  will,  ere  long,  grant  us  the  victory. 


ORGANIZATION. 


13 


;i  I  commit  these  banners  to  you  as  a  citizen  of  Massachusetts 
and  as  a  personal  friend,  an  officer  firm  and  loyal,  a  citizen  faith 
ful  and  patriotic,  a  friend  in  whom  there  is  no  guile,  with  a  satis 
faction  no  words  can  express,  and  whatever  fate  may  be  before 
you,  I  know  that  neither  on  the  white  stripes  of  the  one  flag 
nor  the  white  field  of  the  other  will  there  ever  fall  the  slightest 
dishonor." 

After  receiving  the  colors  Colonel  Bartlett  responded  as 
follows  :  — 

"  Your  Excellency,  I  hope,  sir,  we  shall  do  the  flag  more 
credit  in  action  than  we  do  ourselves  in  speech."  Then  turning  to 
the  regiment  he  spoke  in  a  clear  voice  and  with  an  impassioned 
utterance  that  inspired  every  heart,  carefully  and  slowly  measur 
ing  every  sentence,  as  follows  :  — 

"  My  men,  this  flag  which  is  the  standard  of  our  own  Massa 
chusetts,  and  this  which  we  have  been  taught  to  look  upon  as  the 
sacred  emblem  of  our  nation,  has  today  been  formally  entrusted 
to  our  keeping,  to  carry  and  defend,  by  the  Governor  of  our  State. 
Can  I  say  to  him  for  you  that  you  will  try  to  do  honor  to  this 
trust ;  that  you  will  carry  it  and  defend  it  whenever  and  wher 
ever  duty  calls  ;  that  you  will  never  desert,  disown  or  disgrace  it ; 
that  you  will  swear  by  it,  pray  for  it,  live  for  it,  and,  if  need  be, 
die  for  it ;  and  that  you  will  devote  yourselves  to  its  service  until  it 
shall  be  feared  and  respected  throughout  the  recreant  South  as  it 
is  loved  and  cherished  by  the  loyal  North? 

';  Ever  since  that  flag  was  insulted  by  traitors  in  Charleston 
Harbor  it  has  had  a  warmer  place  in  the  heart  of  every  loyal  man. 
When  her  high-toned  orators  threatened  the  South's  rebellion  and 
secession,  we  endured  a  great  deal  of  personal  insult  and  abuse, 
calmly  and  silently,  but  when,  viper-like,  she  turned  and  fired 
upon  the  flag  which  had  shielded  and  protected  her,  she  struck  a 
blow  which  blood  alone  can  atone  for.  She  made  a  blot  upon 
the  page  of  our  national  history,  which  we  are  in  arms  toda}7  to 
wipe  out.  As  it  went  slowly  and  sullenly  down  on  those  battered 
walls,  it  went  up  like  magic  on  every  hill-top  and  tower,  on  every 
steeple  and  staff  throughout  the  North,  and  nearer  and  dearer  to 
us  than  anything  else  on  earth  and  reverenced  next  to  our 
religion,  is  that  old  flag  still. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS      VOLUNTEERS. 

' '  There  are  those  at  the  South  who,  still  true  to  their  coun 
try,  are  waiting  silently  and  patiently  till  they  see  the  gleam  of  its 
folds  again,  a  token  of  the  return  of  good  government,  the  over 
throw  of  despotism  and  rebellion ;  and  there  are  those,  too,  who 
wait  hopefully,  prayerfully  for  its  coming,  for  they  know  that 
now  and  hereafter  wherever  that  flag  floats  all  men  are  free." 

The  address  was  received  with  hearty  applause. 

Sunday,  April  10th,  the  regiment  was  marched  into  the  city 
and  attended  church  at  the  Old  South  where  Rev.  E.  A.  Walker 
preached  an  interesting  and  patriotic  sermon. 

All  now  felt  that  the  time  was  drawing  near  when  the  pleas 
ant  relations  and  social  attachments  with  the  people  of  Worcester 
must  be  severed  and  the  regiment  take  the  field. 

The  efficient  quartermaster  had  supplied  the  necessary  camp 
equipage  for  field  service  and  each  soldier  had  the  following  arti 
cles  issued  to  him,  which  he  was  required  to  carry  on  his  person, 
viz .  :  — 

1  great  coat.  1  tin  cup. 

1  fatigue  coat.  1  knife  and  fork. 

2  pairs  flannel  drawers.  1  spoon. 

2  flannel  shirts.  1  tin  plate. 

2  pairs  stockings.  1  rubber  blanket. 

1  pair  shoes.  1  haversack. 

1  blanket.  1  canteen. 
1  knapsack. 

These  articles  when  packed  upon  a  man's  back,  together 
with  his  rifle  and  equipments,  made  considerable  of  a  load.  A 
small  man  looked  all  knapsack,  with  his  legs  hanging  outside  to 
steer  by. 

Sunday,  April  17th,  was  the  last  day  in  Camp  John  E.  Wool. 
Every  one  was  getting  ready  and,  though  busy,  snatching  a  few 
moments  for  hurried  chat  with  the  friends  they  were  to  leave 
behind. 


CHAPTER  II. 


OFF  FOR  THE   WAR. 

§ITH  the  budding  flowers  and  opening  spring  of  1864, 
the  long-expected  orders  came  for  the  regiment  to 
take  the  field.  The  quiet,  happy  scenes  of  peace 
were  to  be  suddenly  transformed  into  those  of 
bloody  strife.  Tender  words  were  exchanged  be 
tween  sweethearts,  relatives  and  friends  who  had  made 
camp  life  so  delightful  during  the  past  winter.  Many 
were  the  fond,  anxious  looks  and  sad  farewells  that  followed  the 
line  of  blue  on  that  lovely  April  day,  as  the  regiment  marched 
out  of  Camp  Wool  and  embarked  on  a  special  train  on  the 
Norwich  and  Worcester  Railroad,  and  many  were  the  beating 
hearts  in  blue  whose  affections  were  left  behind.  Strong  links 
that  bind  one  to  home  and  friends  also  inspire  him  to  a  higher 
sense  of  duty,  for  he  realizes  that  they  confide  in  his  honor  and 
bravery  to  do  his  duty  and  he  feels  that  he  has  accepted  a  sacred 
obligation,  which  he  cannot  betray  without  sacrificing  all  his  honor 
and  manhood,  which,  to  a  true  man,  are  dearer  than  life  itself. 

The  train  left  at  two  P.M.,  April  18th,  1864,  having  on  board 
nine  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men.  At  Norwich  the  regiment 
was  loaded  on  a  government  transport  and  landed  at  Jersey  City 
the  next  morning.  After  remaining  upon  the  dock  until  about 
noon,  it  was  again  loaded  upon  cars  for  Philadelphia.  All  knew 
our  destination  was  Annapolis,  but  from  there  one  could  only 
conjecture  what  disposition  was  to  be  made  of  us. 

The  regiment  arrived  at  Philadelphia  in  the  evening  and  was 
hospitably  entertained  by  the  citizens  at  Cooper  Refreshment 


16 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Rooms.  Never  will  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  and  other 
regiments  forget  the  bountiful  feast  which  was  provided  for  the 
hungry  men  arriving  in  that  city  on  their  way  to  the  seat  of  war. 
It  was  a  noble  exhibition  of  Philadelphia  loyalty  and  patriotism 
shining  down  through  the  long  years  from  1776.  The  record  of 
this  beneficence  will  be  held  in  everlasting  remembrance.  During 
the  war  those  volunteer  women  and  men  furnished  food  to  more 
than  one  million  of  soldiers,  lodging  to  forty  thousand,  while 
twenty  thousand  had  their  wounds  dressed  and  cared  for  by  at 
tendants  in  the  adjoining  hospital.  No  doubt  this  has  been 
mentioned  in  every  regimental  history  of  Massachusetts  troops 
that  marched  through  Philadelphia  during  the  war.  If  not,  it 
deserves  a  place  there.  Too  frequent  mention  cannot  be  made 
of  such  lofty  acts  of  patriotism  which  show  that  loyal  hearts 
live  not  alone  in  the  armies  but  with  the  people  who  sustain 
them. 

The  history  of  the  Cooper  Refreshment  Rooms  would  fill 
volumes.  They  were  established  early  in  the  war  from  a  little 
incident  hardly  worth  mentioning.  The  wife  of  a  poor  mechanic 
who  lived  near  the  landing  that  was  the  terminus  of  the  Camden 
and  Amboy  Railroad  in  that  city,  went  out  one  morning  with  her 
coffee  pot  and  cup  and  gave  hot  coffee  to  about  a  dozen  soldiers. 
This  was  the  beginning  which  led  to  the  building  of  such  a  mag 
nificent  system  of  relief,  which  will  always  be  remembered  by 
every  soldier  that  passed  through  the  city  of  "  Brotherly  Love  " 
during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

The  work  was  quickly  taken  up  and  carried  on  by  other 
loyal  women  in  Philadelphia  who  immediately  formed  themselves 
into  a  committee  for  the  general  distribution  of  coffee  to  passing 
Union  soldiers,  whether  going  to  or  returning  from  the  seat  of 
war.  The  men  were  not  long  in  coming  to  the  assistance  of  the 
ladies.  At  first  refreshments  were  collected  and  served  under  the 
trees  in  front  of  a  cooper's  shop  on  Otsego  Street,  near  Washing 
ton  Ave.  The  patriotic  Mr.  William  Cooper,  the  owner  of  the 
shop,  soon  saw  what  was  needed  and  immediately  gave  the  use  of 
his  large  shop  for  this  purpose.  The  building  was  at  once 
cleared  and  the  first  regiment  was  fed  under  its  roof  May  27th, 


s. 
C,  / 

Q..0L.0. 


OFF    FOR   THE    WAR.  17 

1861.     A  banner  was  stretched  across  the  street  bearing  the  fol 
lowing  words  in  large  letters  : 


COOPER  s  SHOP 

VOLUNTEER    REFRESHMENT    SALOON 
FREE. 


The  demand  became  so  great  that  other  rooms  near  by  had  to 
be  opened  and  eventually  a  temporary  hospital  was  attached  and 
the  best  of  medical  attention  given  where  it  was  needed. 

One  may  reasonably  hope  for  pardon  in  digressing  a  little 
from  the  main  subject  to  speak  of  an  institution  which  accom 
plished  so  much  good.  While  recording  deeds  of  valor  upon  the 
battlefield,  we  cannot  forget  the  good,  self-sacrificing  work  of 
the  noble  women  of  our  land,  who  not  only  administered  food  and 
clothing,  but  were  found  at  the  front  in  the  hospitals,  nursing  the 
sick  and  wounded,  and  giving  hope  and  encouragement  to  the 
dying.  The  touch  of  their  hands  was  like  a  soft,  healing  balm 
after  the  work  of  the  surgeon's  knife  and  saw.  Their  purity  of 
character  was  always  above  reproach;  even  the  harshest  voice 
became  softened  and  the  roughest  nature  spellbound  in  their 
presence.  They  came  like  ministering  angels,  always  shedding  a 
glow  of  sunlight.  They  took  the  place  of  our  mothers  and  sis 
ters,  —  God  bless  them.  Their  influence  for  good  permeated 
through  all  grades  and  conditions  and  he  was  none  the  less  a 
brave  soldier  who  carried  the  love  of  a  pure  woman  buttoned 
beneath  his  coat  of  blue. 

After  the  entertainment  the  regiment  was  marched  across  the 
city  and  took  cars  of  all  .descriptions  and  reached  Baltimore  on 
Wednesday,  April  20th ;  there  receiving  for  the  first  time,  their 
taste  of  army  fare,  the  historic  hard  tack  and  salt  meat.  The 
ride  from  Baltimore  to  Annapolis  was  very  comfortable  and  pleas 
ant.  The  latter-named  place  was  reached  in  the  afternoon  and, 
after  a  march  of  about  two  miles,  camp  was  made  in  a  ploughed 
field  where  the  men  received  their  first  experience  in  sleeping  on 
the  ground. 


18 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.   VOLUNTEERS. 


The  next  morning  steps  were  taken  to  put  the  camp  in  proper 
order.  A  detail  was  made  of  about  twenty  men  for  "police" 
purposes.  Policing  in  the  army  does  not  mean  exactly  the  same 
as  in  civil  life.  It  is  not  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  order  and 
arresting  the  disorderly,  but  for  the  purpose  of  cleaning  up  the 
camp.  The  officer  in  charge  was  directed  to  report  to  the  officer 
of  the  day  when  the  work  was  completed.  The  detail  worked 
faithfully  and  removed  everything  objectionable  to  health  and 
cleanliness,  when  the  report  was  made  to  the  officer  of  the  day 
that  the  work  was  completed.  After  the  latter  had  made  an 
inspection  he  disapproved  the  report  in  a  very  positive  manner 
and  directed  the  whole  camp  to  be  swept  with  brooms.  Accord 
ingly  work  was  resumed  and  this  newly-ploughed  field  was  care 
fully  swept  during  a  high  wind.  The  sanitary  improvements  that 
were  thereby  made  have  not  been  discovered  to  this  day 

The  Ninth  Army  Corps,  under  Maj. -Gen.  Ambrose  E.  Burn- 
side,  was  at  Annapolis,  reorganizing  after  its  previous  severe  cam 
paign  in  East  Tennessee.  The  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  was 
assigned  to  the  First  Brigade,  First  Division  of  this  Corps.  Two 
days  were  spent  in  preparation  for  the  march  of  the  whole  corps  to 
the  seat  of  war.  Every  one  then  saw  that  the  destination  was  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  Five  days'  rations  were  issued  and  camp 
was  broken  Saturday  morning,  April  23d.  The  regiment  was  first 
formed  into  column  of  companies,  ranks  opened,  knapsacks 
unslung  and  company  commanders  were  ordered  to  make  a  thor 
ough  inspection  and  permit  the  men  to  carry  nothing  but  their 
arms  and  equipments,  five  days'  rations  in  their  haversacks  ;  a 
change  of  underclothing,  one  blanket,  one  overcoat  and  a  pair  of 
shoes  in  the  knapsacks,  a  tin  cup,  knife,  fork  and  spoon.  Provi 
sion  had  been  made  and  considerable-  extra  clothing  had  been 
packed  in  boxes  and  stored  at  Annapolis,  in  charge  of  the  quarter 
master  there,  to  be  forwarded  when  it  was  required,  yet  there  was 
still  a  surplus. 

In  complying  with  this  order  many  of  the  knapsacks  were 
found  neatly  packed  with  precious  little  keepsakes  and  other 
treasures,  esteemed  of  more  value  by  their  owners  than  any  article 
of  clothing.  It  seemed  like  highway  robbery  to  throw  them  out,  but 


OFF    FOR    THE    WAR.  19 

they  had  to  go.  Most  of  them  were  picked  up  and  slyly  put  back 
into  the  knapsack  again.  It  seemed  like  sacrilege  to  leave  such 
things  scattered  upon  the  ground. 

The  line  of  march  was  then  taken  up  for  Virginia  by  way  of 
Washington.  The  day  was  extremely  hot  and  the  knapsacks 
weighed  like  lead,  growing  heavier  and  heavier  with  each  weary 
step.  As  human  endurance  reached  the  limit,  the  conclusion  was 
forced  upon  them  that  some  portion  of  their  load  would  have  to  be 
discarded.  It  was  so  hot  it  seemed  as  if  it  never  could  get  cool 
again,  besides  we  were  marching  South  —  of  what  use  would  a 
blanket  ever  be  to  them  again?  hence  the  blanket  was  first  to  be 
left  by  the  roadside ;  that  helped  a  little,  but  some  left  the  over 
coat,  also,  while  others  discarded  everything  save  the  musket  and 
equipments.  Those  who  had  seen  previous  service  were  excep 
tions.  The  road  was  strewn  for  miles  with  knapsacks,  overcoats 
and  blankets.  A  number  of  Jewish  traders  from  Annapolis 
followed  the  command  with  wagons  and  reaped  quite  a  harvest  for 
their  future  trade. 

Fifteen  miles  were  made  the  first  day.  Considering  the  ex 
treme  heat,  and  that  it  was  the  first  march,  this  was  considered 
excellent.  The  corps  went  into  camp  by  brigades  in  some  green 
fields  along  by  a  winding  stream.  Coffee  was  soon  made  and 
preparations  completed  for  the  night.  Those  who  were  without 
blankets  or  overcoats  found  the  night  rather  uncomfortable.  The 
camp  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  was  very  near  the  centre.  Looking  up 
and  down  the  little  stream,  the  camp  fires  could  be  seen  burning 
brightly.  As  the  night  wore  on  the  dimly  flickering  lights  showed 
the  watchful  sentinels  silently  walking  past  and,  no  doubt,  reflect 
ing  upon  the  fast  fading  glamour  of  soldier  life  as  the  stern  reali 
ties  were  appearing.  How  changed  everything  seemed. 

Sunday  morning,  April  24th,  with  the  first  dawn  of  day, 
reveille  sounded  through  the  sleeping  camp  and  soon  the  dying- 
embers  were  fanned  into  new  life  for  hot  coffee.  There  was  no 
sound  of  the  "church-going  bells,"  no  quiet  Sabbath  mom,  but 
the  martial  strains  of  the  fife  and  drum  reminded  us  that  we  were 
"  marching  as  to  war."  Tents  were  struck  at  five  o'clock  A.M., 
and  the  whole  command  was  soon  on  the  march  proceeding  towards 


20 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Washington.  The  distance  made  this  day  was  twenty  miles , 
going  into  camp  late  at  night  in  a  driving  rain  storm. 

The  next  morning,  April  25th,  the  third  day  of  the  march, 
the  line  was  not  formed  until  about  seven  o'clock  A.M.  and  the 
march  resumed. 

A  halt  for  dinner  was  made  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington 
where  the  unfinished  dome  of  the  Capitol  could  be  seen.  After 
dinner  the  march  was  again  taken  up  and  proceeded  through  the 
city  of  Washington.  The  Ninth  Corps  passed  before  President 
Lincoln  in  review,  and  every  man  was  enabled  to  get  a  good  look 
at  him. 

The  President  received  the  review  from  the  balcony  of 
Willard's  Hotel,  accompanied  by  General  Burnside  and  Hon. 
Francis  Wayland,  formerly  a  resident  of  Worcester,  but  at  that 
time  Lieutenant-Governor  of  Connecticut.  The  troops  marched 
past  in  column  of  companies  at  full  distance  and  presented  a  fine 
appearance  by  their  regular  cadenced  step  and  well  preserved 
company  front.  Both  Houses  of  Congress  adjourned  to  witness 
the  review.  Crossing  the  long  bridge  immediately  after,  the 
regiment  stood,  for  the  first  time,  on  the  blood-stained  soil  of 
Virginia,  where  for  the  next  year  it  was  to  consecrate  the  soil 
with  much  of  their  own  best  blood.  It  was  well  that  coming 
events  were  not  foreshadowed.  It  always  seems  best  that  our 
future  is  unknown  to  us.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  not  far 
beyond  the  river,  near  some  old  abandoned  works  that  had 
previously  been  used  in  defence  of  the  Capital,  where  it  remained 
until  the  following  Wednesday. 

Wednesday,  April  27th,  four  days'  rations  were  issued  and 
forty  rounds  of  ammunition  per  man.  Camp  was  broken,  the 
march  resumed  and  a  distance  of  nearly  twenty  miles  made.  The 
day  was  excessively  warm,  many  of  the  men  were  footsore  and 
the  march  seemed  to  drag  heavier  than  any  previous  one.  One 
man,  Private  Horace  Clark,  Company  H,  received  a  severe  sun 
stroke,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died  and  was  buried  by  the 
roadside  with  military  honors,  the  chaplain  officiating.  This  was 
the  first  death  in  the  Fifty-Seventh.  The  regiment  went  into 
camp  for  the  night  near  Fairfax  Court  House.  March  was  again 


OFF    FOR    THE    WAK. 


21 


resumed  at  eight  o'clock  A.M.  the  next  day,  through  Centreville. 
This  small  village  was  deserted  and  nearly  destroyed  by  the 
ravages  of  war.  But  few  buildings  were  standing  and  those  were 
badly  battered. 

A  halt  was  made  for  dinner  on  the  old  Bull  Run  battlefield, 
going  into  camp  at  sundown  at  Bristow  Station.  The  march  was 
again  taken  up  the  next  morning,  Friday,  the  29th,  proceeding 
through  Warrenton,  making  camp  near  there,  and  continuing  the 
next  day  to  the  Rappahaunock  river,  where  the  regiment  went 
into  cam])  to  the  south  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad 
and  became  merged  into  the  grand  Army  of  the  Potomac  ;  although 
the  Ninth  Corps  remained  as  an  independent  command  under 
General  Burnside  until  May  24th. 

The  next  day  the  regiment  moved  into  the  camp  vacated  by 
the  20th  Maine,  which  regiment  had  moved  on  towards  Brandy 
Station.  The  whole  army  was  astir  making  preparations  for  the 
grand  campaign  about  to  open.  The  20th  Maine  had  occupied  a 
very  pretty  camp  during  the  previous  winter,  on  the  heights 
bordering  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  by  the  railroad  bridge.  This 
had  been  made  quite  comfortable.  Temporary  shelter  was  made 
of  logs,  the  interstices  between  being  filled  with  small  stones  and 
mud,  a  fireplace  in  each,  with  a  chimnej7  built  of  stone  and  mud,  or 
two  barrels,  one  fitted  on  top  of  the  other.  The  roofs  were  made 
of  shelter  tents.  Pieces  of  packing  boxes  were  laid  upon  the 
ground  for  flooring ;  in  some  cases  covered  with  an  old  rug  or 
piece  of  carpeting.  Temporary  bunks  had  been  constructed  of 
pieces  of  packing  boxes  or  barrel  staves  and  pliable  poles.  These 
huts  seemed  palatial  compared  to  sleeping  under  shelter  tents  on 
the  ground  and  spoke  well  for  the  good  taste  and  enterprise  of 
the  20th  Maine.  Much  time  and  labor  had  been  expended  in  the 
construction  of  this  camp  and  everything  showed  neatness  and 
order.  The  huts  of  the  enlisted  men  were  equally  as  good  as 
those  of  the  officers.  Each  company  formed  a  street,  the  huts  in 
two  lines  facing  each  other,  the  officers'  huts  on  another  line  and 
at  right  angles  with  the  line  of  company  streets ;  at  the  farther 
end  of  the  streets  were  the  company  kitchens.  The  situation  was 
delightful,  overlooking  an  extensive  landscape  stretching  for 
miles  away  into  Culpepper  county. 


22 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Picket  stations  were  occupied  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river.  The  writer  remembers  his  first  tour  of  picket  duty  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  night  was  dark,  cold  and  rainy,  with 
mud  galore.  After  standing  in  the  rain  and  mud  all  night  without 
any  sleep,  it  seemed  good  to  get  under  shelter  the  next  morning  to 
sleep  and  get  dry.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  adju 
tant  appeared  with  an  order  for  the  regular  muster  rolls  and 
"  Company  Monthly  Report."  There  was  no  further  rest.  The 
rolls  and  report  had  to  be  made  out  at  once.  This  was  the  first 
muster  in  the  field  and  seemed  to  those  unacquainted  with  the 
routine  of  official  business  in  the  army  as  wholly  superfluous. 
We  all  knew  we  were  there  and  how  we  felt.  The  colonel  had 
our  morning  report  and  he  also  knew  who  were  present.  What 
difference  could  it  make  at  the  War  Department?  Why  torment 
us  in  this  way?  It  was  extremely  difficult  to  get  the  necessary 
data  to  make  out  the  papers  correctly,  yet  they  must  be  sent  in 
by  a  certain  hour.  It  was  a  day  of  painful  toil  and  anxiety. 
After  the  work  had  been  completed  and  viewed  with  a  degree  of 
satisfaction,  a  heavy  wind  came  up,  accompanied  by  rain,  which 
carried  away  the  frail  roof  of  the  hut  and  nearly  ruined  the  papers 
upon  which  so  much  time  had  been  expended  and  patience  lost. 
There  was  no  time  to  repair  damage,  so  they  had  to  be  sent  in  as 
they  were  and  remain  today  among  the  archives  of  the  War 
Department,  in  the  record  of  which  there  is  no  feeling  of  pride, 
but  it  was  the  best  that  could  be  done  under  such  adverse  circum 
stances. 

Before  reaching  this  point  an  order  had  been  issued  detailing 
Capt.  George  H.  Howe  of  Company  E  on  the  Brigade  Staff  as 
Acting  Assistant  Inspector-General,  which  left  the  company 
under  command  of  Lieut.  John  Anderson. 

First  Lieut.  George  E.  Barton  had  also  been  detailed  in 
charge  of  the  Ambulance  Corps  of  the  First  Division,  but  was 
relieved  after  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor  and  rejoined  the  regiment, 
and  expressed  great  pleasure  on  returning.  He  said  he  wanted 
'^to  be  with  the  boys,  to  rejoice  when  they  rejoice,  and  weep  when 
they  weep,"  but  his  disposition  not  being  of  the  u  weeping"  kind, 
he  was  always  found  "  rejoicing." 


CHAPTER   III. 


THE   WILDERNESS. 

(N  approaching  the  subject  of  this  great  battle  we  are 
mindful  of  the  fact  that  it  has  been  written  over  and 
over  again  from  oflicial  standpoints,  in  which  the 
grand  movements  of  army  corps  and  divisions  are  por 
trayed,  and  where  tactical  movements  are  reviewed 
by  the  military  critic.  It  will  be  our  effort  to  write  from 
the  other  end,  or  from  the  ranks  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts,  as  seen  by  one  who  was  there.  This  is  a  mat 
ter,  perhaps,  of  small  general  interest  to  the  public,  but  of 
great  personal  moment  to  each  individual  soldier  who  faced  the 
storm  of  that  terrible  battle  with  the  Fifty-Seventh.  The  Ninth 
Corps,  to  which  the  regiment  belonged,  acting  in  concert  with  the 
grand  old  Army  of  the  Potomac,  it  becomes  necessary  to  turn  to 
the  movements  and  conditions  of  this  army  in  order  to  show  the 
history  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  in  this,  its  first  engagement  as  an 
organization. 

There  were  no  points  of  special  advantage  in  the  Wilderness, 
except  those  covered  by  the  roads  leading  through  it,  the  posses 
sion  of  which  became  one  of  the  principal  objects  of  contention. 
This  was  called  "the  Wilderness  "  because  it  was  one  in  fact  as- 
well  as  in  name,  in  all  that  the  word  implies,  being  a  wild  tract  of 
desolate  country  lying  south  of  the  Rapidan  river  in  Orange  and 
Spottsylvania  Counties,  Virginia,  about  fifteen  miles  in  length 
from  east  to  west  and  about  ten  in  width. 

Of  all  places  on  earth  for  battle  it  would  be  hard  to  select 
one  more  gloomy  and  desolate,  or  one  presenting  so  many  obsta 
cles  to  the  formation  of  battle  lines.  The  deep  jungles  and  dark 
ravines  of  this  almost  impenetrable  forest  rendered  rapid  and 


24  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

strategical  formations  and  movements  impossible,  the  ground 
being  considerably  broken  and  thickly  covered  with  a  growth  of 
dwarf  pines,  scrub  oak,  brambles,  thorns  and  briars,  so  inter 
woven  that  one  experienced  the  utmost  difficulty  in  getting  through 
and  could  see  but  a  short  distance  in  any  direction.  It  did  not 
possess  one  cheerful  feature  and  seemed  the  last  place  in  the 
world  for  the  habitation  of  man  ;  yet  in  this  dark  forest  was  to  be 
fought  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  sanguinary  battles  of 
modern  times. 

From  this  brief  description  one  can  readily  see  that  large 
armies  would  meet  with  great  difficulty  in  moving  with  unbroken 
lines  and  anything  like  order  or  regularity. 

Three  main  roads  lead  through  the  Wilderness,  the  Orange 
plank  road  and  the  Orange  turnpike,  running  from  the  west,  a 
little  north  of  east,  a  few  miles  apart  and  nearly  parallel,  and  the 
Germanna  plank  road,  running  in  a  southeasterly  direction  from 
Germanua  Ford  on  the  Rapidan  river,  and  intersecting  the  two 
former  at  nearly  right  angles,  the  two  points  of  intersection  being 
about  two  miles  apart  and  in  the  very  heart  of  the  Wilderness. 
The  Germanna  plank  road  is  continued  south  by  what  was  known 
as  the  Brock  road,  while  further  to  the  south,  and  nearly  parallel 
to  the  Germanna  plank,  ran  the  Catharpin  road,  the  last  mentioned 
passing  only  through  the  southern  border  of  the  Wilderness, 
which  was  a  more  open  country.  The  points  of  intersection  of 
the  Germanna  plank  road  with  the  Orange  pike  and  Orange  plank 
roads  became  of  great  value  to  both  the  Federals  and  Confederates 
and  where  the  fiercest  struggles  took  place. 

This  section  was  familiar  to  the  Confederates  but  almost  en 
tirely  unknown  to  the  Federals.  It  was  like  groping  in  the  dark 
to  them. 

From  the  ranks  it  is  impossible  for  one  to  know  the  plans  of 
the  commanding  general  or  the  disposition  of  the  several  organi 
zations  composing  the  army,  save  the  one  to  which  he  belongs. 
He  marches,  whither  he  does  not  know,  or  whether  there  is  to  be 
a  general  engagement  or  only  a  little  skirmishing  with  movements 
to  gain  position.  The  situation  is  all  a  speculation  with  him. 
He  trudges  along  with  his  blanket  roll,  musket  and  forty  rounds 


THE    WILDERNESS.  25 

of  ammunition.  He  thinks  and  hopes  and  never  loses  an  oppor 
tunity  to  brew  his  coffee  when  a  halt  is  made  long  enough.  There 
was  one  thing  that  every  soldier  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
knew  beyond  a  doubt ;  it  had  been  learned  by  long  experience 
that  whenever  a  movement  was  made  towards  the  enemy  he  could 
be  found  and  always  ready  to  fight  with  a  skill  and  bravery  that 
were  the  admiration  of  the  world.  This  was  the  greatest  obsta 
cle  to  contend  with  and  was  the  real  cause  of  prolonging  the 
war.  It  is  our  purpose,  however,  to  write  only  the  part  per 
formed  by  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts,  but  in  describing  it, 
we  find  it  hard  to  separate  the  regiment  from  the  army  to  which 
it  belonged. 

While  the  genial  warmth  of  spring  was  thawing  the  icy 
shackles  of  winter  and  Nature's  sunny  smiles  winning  into  new 
life  the  green  leaves  and  budding  flowers,  emblems  of  peace  and 
beauty,  two  large  armies  were  facing  each  other,  in  full  martial 
array,  from  opposite  banks  of  the  river  Rapid  an  in  Virginia,  pre 
paring  for  a  scene  quite  out  of  harmony  with  nature's  loveliness, 
that  of  bloody,  fratricidal  war,  one  of  death  and  widespread 
desolation.  The  Confederate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  for  the 
purpose  of  destroying  the  Federal  government,  and  the  Federal 
Army  of  the  Potomac  for  the  purpose  of  saving  it ;  the  former 
numbering  something  over  sixty  thousand.  Reports  from  the 
records  of  the  War  Department  at  Washington  show  it  to  have 
been  61,953,  in  the  aggregate  of  all  arms  of  the  service  present 
for  duty,  with  224  guns. 

It  held  strongly  intrenched  positions  south  of  the  river, 
located  as  follows:  the  left  (Longstreet)  at  Gordonsville,  the 
center  (A.  P.  Hill)  at  Orange  Court  House,  the  right  (Ewell) 
resting  on  the  river  near  Raccoon  Ford,  the  force  along  the 
river  being  more  for  the  purpose  of  observation,  the  main  force 
being  posted  in  echelon  towards  Orange  Court  House,  and  back 
to  the  vicinity  of  Gordonsville,  where  Longstreet  had  twelve 
thousand  men,  and  was  ready  to  move  in  any  direction  as  circum 
stances  might  require.  An  advance  by  the  Federals  in  any 
direction  could  be  anticipated  and  promptly  met  by  the  Con 
federates. 


20 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  though  under  the  immediate  com 
mand  of  General  Meade,  was  virtually  under  the  orders  and  in 
structions  of  General  Grant  who  had  his  headquarters  with  it.  It 
was  composed  of  three  corps,  —  posted  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Rapidan  and  Rappahannock,  a  few  miles  above  their  continence, — 
the  Second,  Fifth  and  Sixth,  commanded  by  Generals  Hancock, 
Warren  and  Sedgwick,  together  with  the  cavalry,  under  General 
Sheridan  and  the  Ninth  Corps  under  General  Burnside,  who  com 
manded  it  at  that  time  independently  of  General  Meade. 

The  total  effective  force  armed  and  equipped,  present*  for 
duty  April  30,  18G4,  was  11!), 865),  with  31G  guns.  This  includes 
all  arms  of  the  service,  Provost  Guard,  Reserve  Artillery,  En 
gineers  and  Ninth  Army  Corps,  but  this  whole  force  was  not 
taken  into  the  battle.  The  Fourth  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps 
(colored),  numbering  3,005  men,  was  detailed  to  guard  the  wagon 
trains.  The  cavalry,  about  twelve  thousand,  could  not  operate  in 
the  Wilderness,  hence  only  a  small  portion  of  it  was  employed  in 
protecting  the  left  flank,  while  the  artillery  experienced  still 
greater  difficulty  in  obtaining  position  and  only  a  few  batteries 
were  employed.  This  would  reduce  the  Federal  force  actually 
engaged  to  less  than  one  hundred  thousand.  Neither  artillery 
nor  infantry  could  be  handled  to  advantage  in  such  a  place,  hence, 
it  was  almost  wholly  an  infantry  fight.  The  mistake  generally  made 
by  Confederate  writers  is  that  the  Federal  strength  is  always  esti 
mated  in  the  aggregate,  while  their  own  is  placed  at  the  actual 
number  present  for  duty  bearing  arms.  The  preponderence  of 
numbers  was  in  favor  of  the  Federals,  but  not  in  such  great  pro 
portion  as  has  been  represented,  and  this  advantage  was  con 
siderably  neutralized  in  such  a  thicket  as  the  Wilderness,  where 
the  Federals  were  the  attacking  party  in  a  region  unknown  to  them, 
while  the  Confederates  were  acting  upon  the  defensive  in  a  region 
well  known  to  them,  and,  holding  interior  lines,  they  were  able  to 
meet  the  Federals  with  equal  force  at  every  point.  Under  all 
the  circumstances  the  advantage  of  numbers  became  neutralized 
in  such  a  tangled  thicket  as  the  Wilderness.  When  lines  are 
broken  in  such  a  place  the  troops  are  forced  to  fall  back  in  con 
siderable  confusion  and  disorder,  which  the  attacking  party  is 


THE    WILDERNESS.  27 

unable  to  take  advantage  of  by  advancing  quickly,  as  it  is  not  able 
to  preserve  an  unbroken  front  and  is,  therefore,  often  thrown  into 
an  almost  equal  confusion.  Both  sides  are  obliged  to  halt  and 
re-form,  the  advantage  gained  being  only  a  few  yards  in  advance 
and  a  few  prisoners,  and  this  gained  at  a  great  sacrifice  of  life, 

The  two  armies  were  in  fine  condition,  both  as  to  drill  and 
discipline,  and  each  confident  in  its  own  strength  and  the  ability 
of  the  distinguished  officers  who  commanded,  with  that  experience 
and  morale  which  could  never  suffer  another  Bull  Run.  They  had 
faced  each  other  in  deadly  strife  for  nearly  three  years  and  might 
be  said  to  know  each  other.  Upon  these  two  armies  hung  the 
hopes  and  fears  of  both  the  North  and  South ;  the  destruction  of 
either  carried  with  it  more  than  a  simple  victory  :  it  carried  either 
the  successful  establishment  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  with  a 
complete  destruction  of  our  Republic,  or  the  overthrow  of  slavery 
and  the  death  of  the  Confederacy.  The  whole  civilized  world 
looked  on  with  more  than  ordinary  interest  as  each  side  gathered 
all  its  strength  for  what  promised  to  be  a  filial  and  desperate  struggle, 
which  wras  to  decide  the  fate  of  the  nation  and  demonstrate 
whether  or  not  a  republican  form  of  government,  by  the  people, 
possessed  patriotism  and  strength  enough  to  save  itself  from  over 
throw  by  internal  strife. 

Every  reader  of  history  is  familiar  with  the  plan  of  the  cam 
paign  as  formulated  by  the  two  distinguished  generals  who  com 
manded  the  opposing  forces  ;  the  object  of  General  Grant  being  to 
turn  General  Lee's  right  flank,  defeat  his  army  by  placing  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  between  it  and  Richmond,  the  fall  of  which 
place  would  eventually  follow  the  successful  accomplishment  of 
such  a  scheme,  the  Ninth  Corps  to  be  held  in  reserve,  along  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  until  the  success  of  this  move 
ment  became  well  assured,  and  to  check  any  counter-move  that 
the  Confederate  commander  might  undertake  towards  the  vicinity 
of  Washington. 

The  plan  of  General  Lee  was  to  remain  on  the  defensive 
offensive  within  his  strong  intrenchments,  with  the  general 
features  of  the  country  in  his  favor,  and  to  fall  upon  the  Federals 
while  on  the  march,  by  consolidating  his  forces  and  throwing 


28 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


them  rapidly  forward  upon  some  point  where  the  Federals  could 
be  taken  by  surprise  and  at  a  disadvantage,  breaking  their  line  of 
inarch  and  cutting  their  force  in  twain,  then  defeating  each  in 
succession.  It  has  been  stated  on  good  authority  that  General 
Lee  had  means  of  ascertaining  the  plans  and  movements  of 
General  Grant,  even  before  their  attempted  execution,  and  was 
thereby  enabled  to  anticipate  him  at  all  points.  There  seems  to 
be  no  doubt  that  General  Grant,  who  had  heretofore  met  with 
almost  uninterrupted  success,  greatly  under-estimated  the  ability  of 
General  Lee  and  the  spirit  of  the  troops  under  his  command,  and 
commenced  the  campaign  with  more  confidence,  as  later  experi 
ence  showed,  than  the  circumstances  justified.  Of  all  the  plans 
that  had  been  considered  in  previous  campaigns  and  tried  by 
McClellan,  Burnside,  Hooker  and  Pope,  only  two  were  deemed 
practical  —  one  the  overland,  direct  upon  Richmond,  the  other  by 
water,  ascending  the  James  river  from  Fortress  Monroe.  Each 
possessed  advantages  and  disadvantages ;  both  had  been  tried 
with  disastrous  results ;  one  failed,  as  was  claimed,  from  lack  of 
proper  support,  and  the  other  from  lack  of  concert  of  action  and 
generalship.  Plans  look  beautiful  on  paper  and  in  theory,  but 
most  of  them,  as  experience  has  demonstrated,  are  diilicult  to 
practice.  However,  General  Grant  selected  the  overland  and  this 
is  how  the  trouble  commenced. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  too  large  and  unwieldy  to 
move  in  single  column,  hence  it  had  to  move  in  two,  and  by  corps. 
In  this  movement  it  became  necessary  for  one  column  to  pass 
directly  through  the  Wilderness,  while  the  other  was  to  move 
nearly  parallel  to  it  just  south  of  the  Wilderness  towards  Chan- 
cellorsville,  and  within  supporting  distance,  on  the  two  roads 
heretofore  described,  the  Germanna  plank  and  the  Catharpin.  The 
long  anticipated  order  was  finally  issued  and  as  it  will  give  the 
reader  a  more  intelligent  understanding  of  the  events  that  fol 
lowed,  it  is  copier!  verbatim,  as  follows  :  — 


THE  WILDERNESS. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

May  2d,  1864. 
ORDERS. 

1.  The  Army  will  move  on  Wednesday  the  4th  May,  1864. 

2.  On  the  day  previous,  Tuesday,  3d  May,  Major-General  Sheridan, 
commanding  Cavalry  Corps,  will  move  Gregg's  Cavalry  Division  to  the 
vicinity   of   Richardsville.     It  will  be  accompanied  by  one-half   of   the 
canvas  ponton   train,  the   engineer   troops,  which  will  repair  the  road 
to  Ely's  Ford  as  far  as  practicable  without  exposing  their  work  to  the 
observation  of  the  enemy.     Guards  will  be  placed  in  all  the  occupied 
houses  on  or  in  the  vicinity  of  the  route  of  the  cavalry  and  in  advance 
toward  the  Rapidan,  so  as  to  prevent  any  communication  with  the  enemy 
by  the  inhabitants.     The  same  precaution  will  be  taken  at  the  same  time 
in  front  of  the  First  and  Third  Cavalnr  Divisions  and  wherever  it  may  be 
considered  necessary. 

At  two  o'clock  A.M.  on  the  4th  May,  Gregg's  Division  will  move  to 
Ely's  Ford,  cross  the  Rapidan  as  soon  as  the  canvas  ponton  bridge  is  laid, 
if  the  river  is  not  fordable,  and  as  soon  as  the  infantry  of  the  Second 
Corps  is  up,  will  move  to  the  vicinity  of  Piney  Branch  Church,  or  in  that 
section,  throwing  reconnoissances  well  out  on  the  Pamunkey  road  towards 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Hamilton's  Crossing  and  Fredericksburg. 

The  roads  past  Piney  Branch  Church,  Tod's  tavern,  etc.,  will  be 
kept  clear  for  the  passage  of  the  infantry  the  following  clay.  The 
cavalry  division  will  remain  in  this  position  to  cover  the  passage  of 
the  army  trains,  and  will  move  with  them  and  cover  their  left  flank. 

At  midnight  on  the  3d  May,  the  Third  Cavalry  Division,  with 
one-half  the  canvas  ponton  bridge  train,  which  will  join  it  after  dark, 
will  move  to  Germanna  Ford,  taking  the  plank  road,  and  cross  the 
Rapidan  as  soon  as  the  bridge  is  laid,  if  the  river  is  not  fordable,  and 
hold  the  crossing  until  the  infantry  of  the  Fifth  Corps  is  up;  it  will 
then  move  to  Parker's  store  on  the  Orange  Court  House  plank  road  or 
that  vicinity,  sending  out  strong  reconnoissances  on  the  Orange  plank 
and  pike  roads,  and  the  Catharpin  and  Pamunkey  roads,  until  they  feel 
the  enemy,  and  at  least  as  far  as  Robertson's  tavern,  the  Hope  Church, 
and  Ormond's  or  Robinson's. 

All  intelligence  concerning  the  enemy  will  be  communicated  with 
promptitude  to  headquarters  and  to  the  corps  and  division  commanders 
of  the  nearest  infantry  troops. 

3.  Major-General  Warren,  commanding  Fifth  Corps,  will  send  two 
divisions  at  midnight  of  the  3d  inst.,  by  way  of   Stevensburg  and  the 
plank  road  to  the  crossing  of  Germanna  Ford.     So  much  bridge  train  as 
may  be  necessary  to  bridge  the  Rapidan  at  Germanna  Ford,  with  such 
artillery  as  may  be  required,  will  accompany  these  divisions,  which  will 
be    followed   by   the   remainder   of   the   corps   at   such   hour    that    the 


30  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

column  will  cross  the  Rapidan  without  delay.  Such  disposition  of  the 
troops  and  artillery  as  may  be  found  necessary  to  cover  the  bridge  will 
be  made  by  the  corps  commander,  who,  after  crossing,  will  move  to 
the  vicinity  of  the  Old  Wilderness  tavern,  on  the  Orange  Court  House 
pike. 

The  corps  will  move  the  following  day  past  the  head  of  Catharpin 
Run,  crossing  the  Orange  Court  House  plank  road  at  Parker's  store. 

4.  Major-General  Sedgwick,    commanding  the   Sixth   Corps,    will 
move  at   four   A.M.  on   the   4th  inst.,  by  way  of   Stevensburg   and   the 
Germanna  plank  road  to  Germanna  Ford,  following  the  Fifth  Corps,  and 
after  crossing  the   Rapidan    will  bivouac  on  the  heights  beyond      The 
canvas  ponton  train  wrill  be  taken  up  as  soon  as  the  troops  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  have  crossed,  and  will  follow  immediately  in  rear  of  the  troops  of 
that  corps. 

So  much  of  the  bridge  train  of  the  Sixth  Corps  as  may  be  necessaiy 
to  bridge  the  Rapidan  at  Culpepper  Mine  Ford  will  proceed  to  Richards- 
ville  in  rear  of  the  reserve  artillery,  and  as  soon  as  it  is  ascertained  that 
the  reserve  artillery  are  crossing,  it  will  move  to  Culpepper  Mine  Ford, 
where  the  bridge  will  be  established. 

The  engineers  of  this  bridge  train  will  at  once  open  a  road  from 
Culpepper  Mine  Ford  direct  to  Richardsville. 

5.  Major-General  Hancock,  commanding  Second  Corps,  will  send 
two  divisions,  with  so  much  of  the  bridge  train  as  may  be  necessary  to 
bridge  the  Rapidan  at  Ely's  Ford,  and  such  artillery  as  may  be  required, 
at  midnight  of  the  3d  inst.  to  Ely's  Ford.     The  remainder  of  the  Corps 
wTill  follow  at  such  hour  that  the  column  will  cross  the  Rapidan  without 
delay.     The  canvas  ponton  train  at  this  ford  will  be  taken  up  as  soon  as 
the  troops  of  this  corps  have  passed,  and  will  move  with  it  at  the  head 
of   the   trains  that  accompany  the  troops.     The  wrooden  ponton  bridge 
will  remain.     The  Second  Corps  will  enter  the  Stevensburg  and  Richards- 
ville  road  at  Madden's,  in  order   that  the   route   from    Stevensburg   to 
the  plank  road  may  be  free  for  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps.     After  cross 
ing  the  Rapidan  the  Second  Corps  will  move  to  the  vicinity  of  Chandler's 
or  Chancellorsville. 

G.  It  is  expected  that  the  advance  divisions  of  the  Fifth  and  Second 
Corps,  with  the  wooden  ponton  trains,  will  be  at  the  designated  point 
of  crossing  not  later  than  six  A.M.  of  the  4th  inst. 

7.  The  reserve  artillery  will   move  at  three  A.M.  of  the  4th  inst., 
and  follow  the  Second  Corps,  passing  Mountain  Run  at  Ross's  Mills,  or 
Hamilton's  Crossing  at  Ely's  Ford,  take  the  road  to  Chancellorsville,  and 
halt  for  the  night  at  Hunting  Creek. 

8.  Great  care  will  be  taken  by   the  corps   commanders   that  the 
roads  are  promptly  repaired  by  the  pioneers  wherever  needed,  not  only 
for  the  temporary  wants  of  the  division  or  corps  to  Avhich  the  pioneers 


THE    WILDERNESS. 


31 


belong,  but  for  the  passage  of  the  troops  and  trains  that  follow  on  the 
same  route. 

9.  During  the  movement  on  the  4th  and  following  clays,  the  com 
manders  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  will  occupy  the  roads  on  the  right 
flank  to  cover  the  passage  of  their  corps,  and  will  keep  their  flankers 
well  out  in  that  direction. 

The  commander  of  the  Second  Corps  and  reserve  artillery  will 
in  a  similar  manner  look  out  for  the  left  flank.  Wherever  practicable, 
double  columns  will  be  used  to  shorten  the  columns.  Corps  commanders 
will  keep  in  communication  and  connection  with  each  other,  and  co 
operate  wherever  necessary.  Their  picket  lines  will  be  connected.  They 
will  keep  the  Commanding  General  constantly  advised  of  their  progress 
and  of  everything  important  that  occurs,  and  will  send  staff'  officers  to 
acquaint  him  with  the  location  of  their  headquarters.  During  the  move 
ment  of  the  4th  inst.  headquarters  will  be  on  the  route  of  the  Fifth  and 
Sixth  Corps.  It  will  be  established  at  night  between  those  corps  and 
the  Germanna  plank  road. 

10.  The  infantry  troops  will  take  with  them  fifty  rounds  of  ammuni 
tion  upon  the  person,  three  (3)  days'  full  rations  in  the  haversacks,  three 
(3)  days'  bread  and  small  rations  in   the  knapsacks,  and  three  (3)  days' 
beef  on  the  hoof. 

Eacli  corps  will  take  with  it  one-half  of  its  intrenching  tools,  one 
hospital  wagon  and  one  medium  wagon  for  each  brigade;  one-half  of 
the  ambulance  trains  and  the  light  spring  wTagon,  and  pack  animals 
allowed  at  the  various  headquarters.  No  other  trains  or  means  of  trans 
portation  than  those  just  specitied  will  accompany  the  corps,  except  such 
wagons  as  maybe  necessary  for  the  forage  for  immediate  use  for  live  (5) 
days.  The  artillery  will  have  with  them  the  ammunition  of  the  caissons 
only. 

11.  The   subsistence  and  other   trains  loaded  with   the   amount   of 
rations,    forage,    infantry   and   artillery    ammunition,    etc.,    heretofore 
ordered,  the  surplus  wooden  pontons  of  the  different  corps,  etc.  will  be 
assembled  under  the  direction  of  the  chief  quartermaster  of  the  army  in 
the  vicinity  of  Richardsville,  with  a  view  to   crossing   the  Ilapidan   by 
bridges  at  Ely's  Ford  and  Culpepper  Mine  Ford. 

12.  A  detail  of  one  thousand  or  twelve   hundred  men  will  be  made 
from  each  corps  as  guard  for  its  subsistence  and  other  trains.      This  de 
tail  will  be  composed  of  entire  regiments  as  far  as  practicable.     No  other 
guards  whatever  for  regimental,  brigade,  division  or  corps  wagons  will 
be  allowed.     Each  detail  will  be  under  command  of  an  officer   selected 
for  that  purpose,  and  the  whole  will  be  commanded  by  the  senior  officer 
of  the  three.     This  guard  will  be  so  disposed  as  to  protect  the  trains  on 
the  march  and  in  park.     The  trains  are  likewise  protected  by  cavalry  on 
the  flank  and  rear. 


32 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


13.  Major-General    Sheridan,  commanding  the    cavalry   corps,    will 
direct  the  First  Cavalry  Division  to  call  in  its  pickets  and  patrols  on  the 
right  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  inst.  and  hold  itself  ready  to  move  and 
cover  the  trains  of  the  army.     It  will  picket  and  watch  the  fords  of  the 
Rapidan  from  Rapidan  Station  to  Germanna   Ford.     On  the   morning  of 
the  5th,  the  First  Cavalry  Division  will  cross  the  Rapidan  at  Germanna 
Ford  and  cover  the  right  flank  of  the  trains  while  crossing  the  Rapidan 
and  during  their  movement  in  rear  of  the  army.       The  signal  stations  on 
Cedar,    Poney   and   Stoney   Mountains   will    be   maintained   as   long  as 
practicable. 

14.  The  wooden  ponton   train   at   Germanna  and  Ely's  Fords  will 
remain  for  the  passage  of  General  Burnside's  army.     That  at  Culpepper 
Mine  Ford  will  be  taken  up  under  the  direction  of  the  chief  engineer  as 
soon  as  the   trains   have   crossed,  and  will  move  with  the   train  of   its 
corps. 

By  command  of 

MAJOR-GENERAL  MEADE. 
(Signed) 
S.  WILLIAMS, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


The  foregoing  order  would  appear  complete  in  all  its  details, 
yet  it  does  not  include  the  Ninth  Corps  and  the  part  it  was  to  take 
in  the  movements  of  the  grand  army.  General  Grant  in  his 
memoirs  says:  k'Burnside,  with  the  Ninth  Corps,  was  left  back 
at  Warren  town,  guarding  the  railroad  from  Bull  Rim  forward,  to 
preserve  control  of  it  in  case  our  crossing  the  Rapidan  should  be 
long  delayed.  He  was  instructed,  however,  to  advance  at  once  on 
receiving  notice  that  the  army  had  crossed  and  a  despatch  was 
sent  to  him  a  little  after  1  P.M.,  giving  the  information  that  our 
army  had  been  successful." 

The  movement  commenced  at  midnight  of  the  3d  of  May, 
1864.  The  camps  were  broken  up  and  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
moved  out,  with  all  the  panoply  of  war,  upon  one  of  the  grandest 
and  most  bloody  campaigns  recorded  upon  the  pages  of  history. 

The  right  column,  which  had  to  pass  through  the  Wilderness, 
was  composed  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps,  and  crossed  the 
Rapidan  river  at  Germanna  Ford  about  ten  miles  below  Raccoon 
Ford,  where  the  right  of  General  Lee's  army  rested.  The  left 
column  was  composed  of  the  Second  Corps  and  crossed  at  Ely's 


THE    WILDERNESS.  OO 

Ford,  about  six  miles  below  Germanna  Ford,  the  Ninth  Corps 
being  left,  as  heretofore  explained.  It  was  also  to  guard  the 
two  fords  and  the  supply  trains,  which  had  to  be  moved  with  the 
army,  besides  keeping  the  lines  of  communication  open. 

All  day  of  the  4th  the  army  moved  forward,  and  the  two 
columns  crossed  the  river  without  opposition,  and  preceded  by  a 
large  cavalry  force,  marched  rapidly  on  the  great  flanking  move 
ment  ;  the  right  taking  the  Germanna  plank  road  into  the  Wilder 
ness  and  the  left  taking  the  more  Southern  road  towards 
Chancellorsville  ;  at  which  point  there  was  a  road  leading  to  the 
old  Wilderness  tavern  towards  wrhich  the  right  was  inarching,  the 
latter  on  the  side  towards  the  enemy  and  therefore  expecting  to 
encounter  him  first.  The  bivouac  was  made  for  the  night  near  the 
old  Wilderness  tavern  in  the  hidden  depths  of  the  tangled  forest. 
The  cavalry  had  been  kept  well  out  during  the  day  to  watch  for 
any  hostile  force  that  might  approach,  but  however  watchful  and 
zealous  they  might  have  been,  they  failed  to  discover  the  strong 
force  that  was  approaching  under  the  Confederate  General  Ewell, 
and  also  directed  upon  the  same  point,  viz.  :  Old  Wilderness 
tavern.  The  advance  of  the  two  opposing  armies  encamped  for 
the  night  within  three  miles  of  each  other,  neither  being  aware  of 
the  near  approach  of  the  other.  That  evening  General  Meade 
commanding  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  issued  an  order  for  the 
movements  of  the  following  day.  In  the  meantime,  General  Lee 
had  discovered  the  plan  of  General  Grant  and  was  concentrating 
his  forces  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  strike  a  decisive  blow 
upon  the  right  column  before  it  should  emerge  from  the  dense 
Wilderness  and  where  it  could  be  attacked  to  advantage. 
Ewell's  advance  w^as  already  in  close  proximity  to  the  Federal 
troops  with  A.  P.  Hill's  Corps  at  no  great  distance,  though  not 
connected.  In  compliance  with  General  Meade's  order,  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  commenced  to  move  at  five  A.M  on  the  ;>th  of 
May  and  very  soon  came  in  contact  with  the  two  Confederate 
Corps  above  mentioned,  when  the  battle  known  as  the  Wilderness 
commenced  in  earnest  and  raged  almost  incessantly  throughout 
the  day,  the  Fifth  Corps  sustaining  the  first  shock  and  gallantly 
maintaining  its  ground  until  the  Sixth  could  be  brought  into  posi- 


34  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

tion  and  later  the  Second  Corps ;  the  close  of  the  day  showing 
heavy  losses  to  both  sides  with  no  decided  advantage  to  either ; 
but  that  night  plans  were  formulated  for  bringing  up  all  the  avail 
able  force  on  both  sides  for  a  renewal  of  the  struggle  on  a  grander 
scale. 

Turning  again  to  the  Ninth  Corps,  to  which  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts  belonged,  and  which  was  left  back  at  the  Rappa- 
hannock,  it  was  placed  in  motion  on  the  4th  and  hurried  forward 
on  a  forced  march  to  "  join  the  dreadful  revelry." 

The  Fifty- Seventh  moved  from  the  comfortable  camp  of  the 
20th  Maine  on  the  heights  above  the  river  and  at  daybreak,  May 
4th,  with  forty  rounds  of  ammunition  and  three  days'  rations, 
commenced  the  march  in  the  direction  of  Brandy  Station.  The 
very  name  had  a  kind  of  inspiration  to  a  tired,  thirsty  soldier,  but, 
after  reaching  there,  it  was  discovered  that  the  brandy  was  all  gone 
and  the  "  boys  "  were  in  the  condition  of  Mother  Hubbard's  dog 
when  "  the  cupboard  was  bare."  Although  the  distance  marched 
was  only  about  six  miles  a  halt  was  made  until  five  P.M.  when 
it  was  again  resumed  towards  the  Rapidan.  Darkness  soon  came 
and  the  regiment  plodded  on  through  the  sticky  mud.  By  some 
blunder  it  became  separated  and  the  right  wing  took  the  wrong 
road.  The  mistake  was  not  discovered  until  about  midnight,  when 
a  tedious  counter-march  had  to  be  made  which  consumed  the 
balance  of  the  night.  Daylight  found  the  two  wings  re-united  at 
a  point  not  far  from  where  the  march  had  commenced  the  night 
before.  The  men  were  well  nigh  exhausted  and  not  in  the  best  of 
humor.  They  had  marched  through  the  mud  all  night  without 
accomplishing  anything.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  moral  safe 
guard  thrown  around  them  by  the  Articles  of  War  no  doubt  some 
would  have  thought  swear,  but  this  was  one  of  the  contingencies 
the  Articles  of  War  provided  for  and  became  the  means  of  saving 
the  morals  of  many  a  foot-weary  soldier. 

After  making  coffee  the  route  was  continued  towards  Ger- 
manna  Ford  on  the  Rapidan.  The  river  was  crossed  at  that  point 
on  a  wooden  ponton  bridge.  The  First  Division  moved  to  the 
heights  beyond  and  covered  the  crossing  for  the  remainder  of 
the  corps;  remaining  there  until  two  A.M.  Friday,  May  6th. 


THE    WILDERNESS. 


35 


Throughout  the  entire  day  of  the  5th  the  sound  of  battle  came  to 
us  from  the  Wilderness.  It  spoke  in  no  tremulous  or  uncertain 
voice,  but  in  one  steady  roar  like  Niagara,  with  occasional  brief 
lulls  like  moaning  wind  gathering  strength  for  a  heavier  blast.  It 
told  in  language  that  could  not  be  misunderstood  of  the  desperate 
conflict  that  was  raging,  but  it  did  not  reveal  the  part  held  in  store 
for  the  Fifty-Seventh  the  following  day.  It  was  hot,  but  the 
regiment  gained  a  good  rest,  while  all  thought  of  the  coming 
morrow.  As  night  came  on  and  twilight  deepened  into  darkness, 
the  distant  sounds  gradually  died  away.  All  felt  that  it  was  not 
yet  over,  only  the  calm  which  precedes  the  storm. 

At  two  o'clock  A.M..  the  morning  of  the  6th,  the  regiment  was 
again  on  the  march ;  this  time  into  the  Wilderness,  passing 
through  burning  woods,  until  it  reached  the  Wilderness  plank 
road  about  six  A.M.  The  sound  of  battle  could  be  heard  coming 
from  the  point  towards  which  we  were  marching.  Wounded  men 
were  being  brought  out,  giving  evidence  of  the  sanguinary  conflict 
which  was  raging. 

The  Ninth  Corps,  General  Burnside,  was  ordered  to  take 
position  between  the  Second  and  Fifth  and  to  connect  with  them 
on  the  right  and  left.  Many  writers  disagree  as  to  the  time  it 
became  engaged.  We  were1  in  no  position  of  knowing  at  what 
time  it  was  brought  into  action,  but  the  division  to  which  the 
Fifty-Seventh  belonged,  Stevenson's  first  division,  became  en 
gaged  about  eight  A.M.,  on  the  6th. 

Orders  had  been  issued  for  a  general  attack  along  the  whole 
line  at  five  A.M.,  on  the  6th.  The  divisions  of  General  Wilcox 
and  General  Potter  of  the  Ninth  Corps  were  to  close  the  gap 
between  the  right  of  the  Second  and  left  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  and 
make  an  attack  in  the  direction  of  Parker's  Store.  Stevenson's 
division  was  left  in  reserve  at  the  Old  Wilderness  tavern. 

The  attack  began  punctually  at  five  A.M.  by  the  Second, 
Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps,  but  the  Ninth  had  not  gained  position  at 
that  time.  Upon  the  extreme  right  the  Sixth  Corps  assaulted  the 
entrenched  lines  of  the  enemy,  Ewell,  but  was  repulsed  with  heavy 
loss.  The  Fifth  Corps,  Warren,  met  with  no  better  success, 
while  the  Second  Corps,  Hancock,  strengthened  by  one  division 


30  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

of  the  Fifth  Corps  under  General  Wadsworth,  made  a  furious 
assault  on  the  Confederate  Corps  under  General  Hill,  in  posi 
tion,  carrying  everything  before  it  and  driving  the  enemy  back 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  beyond  the  Brock  road.  The  Con 
federate  right  had  been  completely  broken  and  was  falling  back 
in  confusion  when  Longstreet  arrived  upon  the  scene  of  action 
with  about  twelve  thousand  fresh  troops  that  had  been  brought  up 
from  Gordonsville.  This  saved  the  Confederate  right  from  com 
plete  overthrow.  The  flight  of  Hill's  troops  was  arrested  and 
the  combined  force  of  Hill  and  Longstreet  made  a  counter- charge 
upon  the  troops  under  General  Hancock  and  drove  them  back  in 
turn.  The  gap  upon  the  right  of  the  Second  Corps  had  not  been 
closed  by  the  Ninth  and  there  was  great  danger  from  the  exposure 
of  this  flank.  General  Hancock  was  also  apprehensive  from  the 
threatened  danger  on  his  left  and  had  left  one  division  there  to 
protect  it.  This  division  did  not  go  forward  on  the  charge  but 
held  the  extreme  left  of  the  whole  army.  The  troops  that  had 
advanced  through  the  woods  were  thrown  into  considerable  dis 
order  from  the  great  difficulty  they  met  with  in  advancing  through 
the  tangled  underbrush.  Regiments  and  brigades  became  inex 
tricably  mixed,  so  that  they  were  in  no  condition  to  meet  the  im 
petuous  charge  of  Longstreet.  At  this  juncture  Stevenson's 
division  of  the  Ninth  Corps  was  brought  up  from  the  Old  Wilder 
ness  tavern,  moving  by  the  Germanua  plank  to  the  Brock  road. 
It  filed  off  into  the  woods  to  the  right,  formed  line  and  advanced 
quickly  along  the  Orange  Court  House  plank  road,  near  its  inter 
section  with  the  Brock  road,  and  very  soon  came  in  contact  with 
the  victorious  troops  under  Hill  and  Longstreet.  The  impetus 
of  the  two  forces  thus  suddenly  brought  together  was  terrific.  The 
advance  was  checked,  but  the  slaughter  was  something  fearful. 
The  loss  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  was  two  hundred  and 
fifty-two  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  about  one  hour's  time. 
Of  the  latter  most  of  them  were  either  killed  or  so  disabled  as  to 
be  unable  to  make  their  escape.  Again  the  advancing  tide  rolled 
resistlessly  forward,  sweeping  away  the  Fifty-Seventh  and  break 
ing  down  every  barrier  until  our  own  line  of  earthworks  was 
reached  near  the  Brock  road,  which  presented  a  formidable  ob- 


THE    WILDERNESS.  O/ 

stacle  to  their  farther  advance.  The  contest  continued  at  this 
point  until  nearly  midday  when  it  gradually  died  away,  but  only 
for  the  time  being. 

This  was  the  first  experience  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  in  battle. 
It  was  a  veritable  "baptism  of  fire"  by  immersion,  which  it 
sustained  most  valiantly  and  made  for  itself  a  record  which  it 
maintained  throughout  the  war,  one  that  the  surviving  members 
can  point  to  with  a  feeling  of  pride. 

Everything  was  in  such  a  confused  state  at  the  time  that  it 
would  have  been  hard  to  give  a  correct  account  of  it  even  then, 
and  is  still  harder  at  this  late  day.  The  regiment  had  been  as 
sailed  from  the  flank  as  well  as  the  front,  and  in  falling  back  the 
colors  had  been  seen  so  near  the  enemy,  and  then  lost  to  sight,  that 
it  was  believed  they  had  been  captured  ;  but  at  this  critical  point, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Chnndler,  who  commanded  the  regiment, 
Colonel  Bartlett  having  been  wounded,  ordered  the  men  who  were 
near  the  colors  to  lie  down  and  conceal  them.  They  had  hardly 
obeyed  this  order  when  the  enemy  charged  down  the  plank  road 
near  them,  and,  for  a  time,  they  were  surrounded,  but  in  the 
general  confusion  they  were  evidently  overlooked. 

Capt.  Henry  C.  Ward,  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Royce  and  about 
forty  enlisted  men  remained  with  them,  and  finally  brought  them 
out  in  safety.  This  act  of  marked  gallantry  is  worthy  of  special 
mention.  Sergeant  Karpeles  has  since  received  a  Medal  of 
Honor,  by  act  of  Congress,  for  distinguished  gallantry.  Their 
escape  was  due  to  their  own  gallantry  and  the  dense  thicket 
which  partially  concealed  them.  The  few  men  who  were  there 
would  have  been  a  mere  handful,  if  discovered,  in  the  midst  of 
the  hundreds  who  surrounded  them. 

Sergeant  Karpeles  is  now  a  resident  of  Washington,  D.C., 
and  for  some  years  held  a  position  in  the  Post  Office  Department. 
Several  letters  have  been  addressed  to  us  in  relation  to  this  mat 
ter,  which  have  been  written  from  memory,  and  while  they  do  not 
agree  in  all  the  minor  details,  which  would  be  a  remarkable  co 
incidence  if  they  did,  after  the  lapse  of  thirty  years,  yet  they  agree 
as  to  the  main  facts  in  the  case,  as  all  those  who  were  with  the 
regiment  at  the  time  well  remember.  Sergeant  Karpeles,  speak- 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

ing  of  the  affair  from  his  recollection,  in  a  letter  to  Chaplain 
Dashiell,  under  date  of  July  25th,  1894,  says  :  "In  the  Kittle  of 
the  Wilderness,  May  6th,  1864,  as  you  are  aware,  our  right  wing 
commenced  to  break  and  through  that  brought  about  a  general 
stampede.  When  it  reached  our  regiment  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Chandler  inquired  of  me:  'Color  Sergeant,  what's  the  trouble?' 
I  mounted  a  stump  which  had  been  broken  by  a  shell  and  replied  : 
'  Colonel,  the  rebs  are  around  us.'  .  .  .  .  As  I  was  the  only 
color-bearer  left  on  the  field  with  colors,  we  rallied  about  forty 
men  of  our  regiment  and  were  subsequently  reinforced  by  men 
from  other  regiments  and  kept  up  the  fight " 

Sergeant  Karpeles  retained  a  memorandum  list  of  the  names 
of  the  men  who  were  with  the  colors  at  the  time,  as  follows  : 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Chandler,  Lieutenant  Ward,  Lieutenant  Royce, 
Color- Sergeant  Karpeles,  Sergeants  Defoe  and  McFaiiand. 
Privates  Howard,  Mills,  Willard,  Southey,  Rumsey,  Dailey, 
Harrington,  Lowell,  Newton,  Sanderson,  Brewuzen,  Shalor, 
Towers,  Wilson,  Bertrand,  Barker,  Lappel,  Hastings,  Duggal, 
Pike,  Langdon,  Derby,  Curley,  Penland,  Grandon,  Streeter, 
Rollins,  Elbert,  Gould,  Pipson  and  St.  Antoine.  He  does  not 
give  the  full  names  of  these  men  and  is  not  sure  that  they  are  all 
spelled  correctly. 

Capt.  Henry  C.  Ward,  U.  S.  Army,  formerly  a  Lieutenant  in 
the  Fifty-Seventh  at  the  Wilderness,  writes,  under  date  of  Oct. 
5,  1894,  his  recollection  of  the  affair  as  follows:  "I  directed 
him  (the  color  sergeant)  to  conceal  the  colors,  as  we  were 
surrounded  by  the  enemy,  front,  flank  and  rear  ....  We  then 
worked  our  way  out  the  best  we  could  towards  our  own  lines.  We 
reached  the  road  in  rear  and  found  our  brigade  and  regiment.  I 
reported  to  Lieutenant- Colonel  Chandler  that  I  had  the  colors 
and,  as  he  had  reported  them  lost  to  the  brigade  commander,  he 
immediately  reported  after  our  arrival,  the  safety  of  them.  There 
was  much  more  about  that  matter  that  I  have  forgotten." 

No  one  seems  to  remember  how  Colonel  Chandler  lost  sight 
of  the  colors  and,  supposing  they  had  been  lost,  so  reported  to  the 
brigade  commander.  Sergt.  E.  D.  McFarland  has  contributed 
his  recollection  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  in  the  Wilder- 


THE    WILDERNESS.  oi) 

ness  as  follows  :  "The  Fifty-Seventh  Regiment  started  for  the 
front  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  May,  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  We  were  on  the  road  and  halted  for  breakfast 
about  sunrise  near  the  Wilderness  Run.  I  should  say  we  reached 
the  battlefield  about  nine  o'clock.  We  turned  down  the  plank 
road,  went  some  distance  and  filed  into  an  old  cart  road  into  the 
woods  where  we  faced  the  enemy.  We  left  our  knapsacks  on  the 
ground.  Colonel  Bartlett  came  up  and  asked  for  a  drink  of  water 
from  my  canteen,  then  turned  around  and  ordered  the  advance, 
was  struck  by  a  ball  on  the  side  of  the  head  almost  the  same 
instant  and  was  taken  to  the  rear.  I  think  all  the  companies  were 
present  except  Company  K,  which  was  on  detached  duty  under 
Captain  Prescott.  I  think  Company  H  was  the  color  company. 
We  advanced  under  a  very  heavy  fire  of  musketry  until  within  ten 
feet,  I  should  say,  of  the  rebel  breastworks,  composed  of  rails, 
fence,  brush  and  trees,  when  the  line  on  the  plank  road  was 
broken,  and  the  rebels  left  their  works  in  front  of  us  and  went  up 
the  plank  road.  As  soon  as  it  was  discovered  that  the  line  was 
broken,  we  received  orders  to  fall  back.  This  was  immediately 
done.  In  falling  back  our  colors  got  caught  in  the  brush.  I 
heard  Colonel  Chandler  say :  '  For  God's  sake,  boys,  don't  for 
sake  your  colors.'  I,  in  company  with  others,  stopped  by  them 
until  they  were  released  from  the  brush  and  rolled  on  the  staff.  By 
that  time  all  our  regiment  was  out  of  sight  except  the  dead  and 
wounded  that  lay  on  the  ground.  Colonel  Chandler  gave  the 
order  to  lie  down  with  them.  While  we  were  lying  on  the  ground 
we  could  see  the  rebels  going  up  the  plank  road.  One  came  into 
the  brush  where  we  were.  Colonel  Chandler  pointed  his  revolver 
at  him  and  told  him  to  surrender.  He  threw  down  his  gun,  and 
lay  down  beside  us  and  we  brought  him  in  a  prisoner.  After 
lying  there  for  a  while,  expecting  to  go  to  Richmond  as  prisoners, 
we  saw  some  men  that  were  lost  from  their  regiment,  the  45th 
Pennsylvania.  They  joined  us  and  we  started  to  find  our  way  out. 
We  crawled  on  our  hands  and  knees  a  long  distance,  I  don't  know 
how  far,  but  it  was  a  number  of  hours  before  we  reached  our  lines. 
I  remember  at  last  of  finding  ourselves  near  the  road  we  went  over 
in  the  morning  and  came  back  up  that  road  ....  I  remember 


40 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


seeing  the  sun  almost  down  when  we  reached  our  regiment.  We 
then  went  to  work  to  build  breastworks  in  the  road,  using  our 
ba}Touets  for  picks  and  tin  plates  for  shovels  ....  This  is  my 
version  of  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  as  remembered  at  this  late 
day." 

The  smoke  of  battle  was  so  dense,  the  brush  so  thick  and  the 
disorder  so  great  that  we  could  not  all  see  the  same.  We  (the 
writer)  were  in  the  second  company  from  the  left  and  inarched 
forward  with  the  guide  on  the  colors,  but,  at  the  time  mentioned 
in  this  narrative,  they  suddenly  disappeared  and  were  not  seen 
again  until  they  were  brought  in  late  that  day  to  the  regiment. 
This  was  probably  the  time,  as  Sergeant  McFarland  says,  when  they 
were  being  extricated  from  the  brush.  It  was  generally  believed 
that  they  had  been  captured  and  there  was  great  rejoicing  when 
they  were  restored.  Colors  are  as  important  to  a  regiment  as  the 
head  to  a  man,  or  war  paint  to  an  Indian. 

Digressing  a  little  now  from  the  subject,  wre  wish  to  say, 
for  the  information  of  those  not  familiar  with  military  affairs,  that 
colors  are  very  important  to  every  organization  in  war,  and 
around  them  cluster  the  pride  and  affections  of  every  soldier. 
The  commanding  general  has  colors  that  follow  him  wherever  he 
goes  and  indicate  his  presence.  Each  corps,  division  and  brigade 
has  a  distinctive  standard  which  marks  the  presence  of  the  officer 
in  command.  This  facilitates  the  matter  of  finding  him  without 
trouble  in  time  of  action  when  it  is  necessary  for  orders  to  reach 
him.  Each  regiment  also  has  a  stand  of  colors  near  which  the 
colonel,  or  other  officer  in  command,  can  always  be  found.  To 
one  familiar  with  military  matters  these  colors  serve  as  a  regular 
directory.  The  colors  of  a  regiment  were  carried  by  a  sergeant 
specially  designated  on  account  of  steadiness  in  marching  and 
bravery.  There  were  also  seven  color  corporals  who,  marched 
with  the  colors.  These  eight  men  were  posted  on  the  left  of  the 
right  centre  company  when  in  line  and  conformed  to  all  its 
movements.  This  would  always  bring  the  colors  very  near  the 
centre  of  the  regiment. 

Returning  again  to  the  Wilderness,  it  w^as  in  this  charge  that 
General  Wadsworth,  commanding  the  Fourth  Division  of  the 


THE    WILDERNESS.  41 

Fifth  Corps,  was  killed,  while  heroically  endeavoring  to  rally  the 
troops  that  were  being  driven  back  in  such  confusion  that,  for  a 
time,  the  scene  was  one  of  appalling  disorder.  The  sound  of  his 
voice  rose  in  clear  commanding  tones  above  the  crash  and  roar  of 
battle,  as  he  attempted  to  resist  the  deadly  torrent  that  was 
sweeping  resistlessly  forward.  His  eye  caught  sight  of  the  flag 
of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  far  in  advance  floating  proudlv 
and  defiantly  amid  the  sulphurous  smoke  in  face  of  the  rapidly 
advancing  foe.  He  called  upon  all  who  wore  the  blue  uniform  to 
rally  around  that  standard  and  hold  the  ground  until  reinforce 
ments  could  be  brought  up.  The  colors  were  soon  lost  to  sight 
amid  the  confusion.  It  was  a  critical  moment.  Our  line  was 
practically  broken,  held  only  by  fragments  of  organizations 
rallied  by  their  officers,  without  any  cohesion,  but  the  on-rushing 
tide  was  checked  until  fresh  troops  could  be  brought  up  to  fill  the 
gaps.  The  dead  and  wounded  which  thickly  strewed  the  ground 
attested  the  destructiveness  of  the  storm. 

The  writer  begs  to  step  from  the  ranks  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
for  a  brief  mention  of  one  of  America's  noblest  sons,  who  gave 
his  life  in  defense  of  his  country,  Brig, -Gen.  James  S.  Wads- 
worth.  There  have  been  men  in  the  world  like  the  first  Napoleon, 
possessing  powers  of  personal  attraction  that  few  could  resist. 
General  Wads  worth  seemed  to  possess  this  exalted  power  to 
an  eminent  degree,  even  to  drawing  men  around  him  who  had 
never  seen  or  scarcely  heard  of  him  before,  holding  them  almost 
in  the  jaws  of  death  and  impressing  them  with  his  own  lofty  spirit 
of  loyalty  which  rose  above  all  fear  of  danger.  He  fell,  shot 
through  the  head,  and  his  body  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
It  is  not  enough  to  say  of  such  a  man  that  "  He  fell  while  gallantly 
fighting  at  the  head  of  his  troops."  His  was  one  of  those  grand 
and  noble  characters  that  lead  to  deeds  of  valor  and  self-sacrifice, 
regardless  of  everything  except  an  honorable  devotion  to  duty  in 
the  cause  of  his  country.  His  example  was  an  incentive  to  those 
who  saw  him,  and  heard  his  voice  saying,  "  Steady,  boys,  stand 
firm  and  we  will  soon  whip  them."  If  "•  the  blood  of  martyrs  is 
the  seed  of  the  church,"  the  blood  of  such  men  consecrates  the 
corner-stone  of  our  country,  and  is  never  shed  in  vain.  His  is  a 


42  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

name  to  live  in  history  as  long  as  history  is  read, — "  One  of  those 
immortal  names  that  were  not  born  to  die."  Yet  there  were 
hundreds  of  others,  noble  and  brave  men,  less  conspicuous  and 
therefore  not  mentioned,  except  in  the  long  list  of  killed,  who 
gave  up  their  lives  upon  this  bloody  field  and  passed  silently 
beyond  the  Wilderness  forever.  Our  flag,  endeared  by  the 
memory  of  such  names,  and  made  sacred  by  their  blood,  becomes 
enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  all  loyal  citizens, —  the  emblem  of  our 
beloved  country ;  insult  it,  he  who  dares. 

The  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  made  repeated  assaults  upon  the 
right  and  met  with  heavy  loss,  but  the  heaviest  righting  was  on 
the  left,  which  was  held  by  the  Second  Corps  and  part  of  the 
Ninth.  The  order  "  Forward"  would  be  given  and  the  line  would 
move  forward  through  the  brush  and  brambles,  where  no  enemy 
could  be  seen,  until,  suddenly  rising  from  the  ground,  he  would 
send  forth  a  deadly  volley  crashing  through  the  ranks  and  crack 
ling  through  the  thick  chapparal,  leaving  gaps  that  were  quickly 
closed,  and  again  the  line  moved  on.  An  occasional  counter 
attack  would  be  made  by  the  "Johnnies,"  as  they  were  termed, 
and  all  through  the  gloomy  Wilderness,  throughout  the  long  6th 
day  of  May,  a  day  that  seemed  to  have  no  end,  it  was  one  seething, 
crackling  cauldron  of  all  that  a  Dante  might  have  conceived  of 
the  worst  condition  of  a  veritable  hell,  with  nearly  two  hundred 
thousand  men  struggling  like  infuriated  demons.  The  roar  of 
battle,  like  the  deafening,  crashing  roar  of  continuous  thunder, 
rolled  along  the  lines,  rising  and  falling  as  they  swayed  backward 
or  pressed  forward  in  the  gigantic  struggle  which  covered  a 
distance  of  five  miles  in  length,  occasionally  sinking  to  a  low 
rumble,  while  lines  were  being  readjusted,  only  to  break  forth 
with  a  more  terrific  crash  as  a  fresh  charge  was  made.  One  in 
the  ranks  could  not  tell  how  the  battle  was  going,  as  the  heavy 
smoke  of  burning  powder  and  the  burning  leaves  and  brush  made 
it  almost  as  dark  as  night,  and  only  judged  from  the  direction  of 
the  advancing  or  receding  roar  of  the  steel  crested  billows  as  they 
swept  forward  to  be  dashed  against  the  solid  front  presented  by  the 
enemy,  or  were  thrown  back  by  a  counter-charge ;  each  showing 
a  heavy  addition  to  the  large  number  of  killed  and  wounded ;  the 


THE    WILDERNESS.  4:3 

latter  pleading  with  pathetic  desperation  for  a  helping  hand  to 
remove  them  from  this  horrible  field  of  death.  Their  voices  could 
seldom  be  heard,  but  their  pale  faces  and  outstretched  arms  could 
be  seen  pleading  in  language  deeper  than  the  pathos  of  words  for 
that  help  which  could  not  be  given.  Each  new  charge  was  made 
over  their  bleeding,  prostrate  forms,  in  many  cases  both  the 
blue  and  the  gray  lying  side  by  side  in  a  common  brotherhood  of 
suffering  humanity,  which  softened  all  feelings  of  enmity  that 
might  ever  have  existed  between  them.  Whichever  way  one 
turned  these  appalling  sights  met  the  eye.  There  was  no  getting 
away  from  them,  one  glimpse  of  which  was  enough  to  send  a 
thrill  of  horror  throughout  the  whole  Christian  world.  When 
opportunity  offered  a  canteen  would  be  passed  to  the  lips  of  a 
fallen  comrade,  and  even  to  a  wounded  "Johnnie  "  the  same  kindly 
favor  would  be  extended,  though  it  might  have  been  by  the  same 
hand  that  prostrated  him.  We  stand  with  bowed  head  and  feel 
ings  of  silent  awe  and  reverence  in  the  presence  of  one  who  lies 
dead  before  us,  but  where  thousands  lie  scattered  upon  the  battle 
field  with  all  the  shocking  mutilations  of  the  human  form,  the 
natural  feelings  of  sympathy  become  stupefied  and  we  are  unable 
to  comprehend  all  the  surrounding  horrors,  and  shrink  from  a 
serious  contemplation  of  them ;  yet  the  fact  remains  that  every 
wound  and  every  death  goes  beyond  the  present  suffering,  causing 
bitter  tears  of  sorrow  and  misery  in  distant  homes,  leaving 
fatherless  children,  mourning  widows,  bereaved  parents  and 
desolate  hearthstones  to  fill  the  measure  and  echo  the  glories  of 
war. 

There  is  something  grand  and  inspiring  in  battle  which  no 
pen  can  describe,  yet  it  leaves  a  train  of  misery  and  sorrow  which 
is  also  indescribable.  If  one  were  to  try  to  portray  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness  briefly,  he  might  truthfully  say  that  it  was  the 
worst  and  most  destructive  tempest  known  in  perdition  by  "  the 
oldest  inhabitant." 

A  temporary  work  of  dry  logs  and  earth  had  been  thrown 
up  along  the  Brock  road,  which  had  caught  fire.  The  thick 
smoke  and  hot  flames  blew  directly  in  the  faces  of  our  men, 
forcing  them  to  fall  back  a  short  distance.  Under  this  screen  the 


44 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


enemy  rushed  forward,  carried  the  works  and  planted  their  colors 
beyond,  but  they  were  met  with  a  murderous  fire  and  driven  back 
again  to  their  former  position  with  heavy  loss. 

To  add  greater  horror  to  the  conflict  the  fire  spread  from  the 
log  breastworks  among  the  dry  leaves  and  thick  underbrush, 
burning  to  death  about  two  hundred  who  were  unable  to  crawl 
out.  It  is  impossible  to  follow  all  the  movements  in  the  Wilder 
ness  or  portray  correctly  all  the  desperate  charges  that  were  made 
on  both  sides.  It  was  a  succession  of  them,  with  few  and 
short  intermissions,  from  daylight  until  dark.  It  was  an  experi 
ence  to  everyone  present  that  will  live  in  his  memory  while 
memory  lasts.  The  experience  of  one  was  about  the  same  of  all. 

There  was  no  opportunity  for  strategy  or  grand  tactical  com 
binations.  It  was  simply  brute  force  dashing  against  brute  force, 
where  countrymen  met  countrymen  with  equal  courage  in  a  cause 
which  each  held  dear  and  believed  to  be  right.  We  believe  then, 
and  believe  now,  that  our  cause  was  a  noble  and  righteous  one. 
It  has  been  recorded  in  history  that  by  its  success  our  country 
was  saved  from  destruction  and  the  shackles  stricken  from  mil 
lions  of  human  beings  that  had  been  held  in  bondage,  bought  and 
sold  as  slaves.  The  ranks  never  failed  to  move  forward  when 
ordered.  There  was  no  weakening,  even  though  the  men  real 
ized  the  terrible  ordeal  before  them.  There  was  a  fixed  determi 
nation  to  "'  do  or  die,"  yet  nourishing  the  hope  that  the  end  was 
near,  that  the  last  charge  had  been  made  and  the  angel  of  peace 
would  soon  spread  her  healing  wings  over  the  bloody  strife  and 
still  the  angry  waves  of  fratricidal  war. 

Every  man  felt  a  just  pride  in  the  brave  deeds  of  his  own 
regiment  and  loved  to  feel  that  he  had  a  share  in  them,  and  in 
years  after  he  loves  to  tell  that  he  was  with  the  gallant  Fifty- 
Seventh  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

The  dark  shadows  of  night  at  last  fell  upon  the  awful  scene 
of  carnage  and  the  turmoil  of  battle  gradually  died  away,  leaving 
only  the  watchful,  warning  shots  along  the  confronting  lines  of 
pickets.  Both  sides  were  well  nigh  exhausted,  but  still  defiantly 
confronting  each  other  upon  nearly  the  same  ground  as  when  the 
battle  had  commenced  two  days  before.  The  tired  men  dropped 


THE    WILDERNESS.  45 

upon  the  ground  for  rest  and  sleep,  the  living  and  dead  lying  side 
by  side.  It  was  a  long,  gloomy  night.  Even  the  partial  uncon 
sciousness  of  sleep  could  not  dispel  the  surrounding  scenes  of 
horror.  With  momentary  wakefulness  came  the  wondering 
thought  of  what  the  morrow  would  bring  forth ;  if  the  light  of 
coming  day  would  witness  a  renewal  of  the  struggle. 

It  seemed  that  nothing  more  of  horror  could  be  added.  The 
mind  could  not  comprehend  the  hundredth  part  of  what  had 
already  transpired,  simply  what  each  had  seen  personally  became 
matter  of  contemplation.  A  feeling  of  thankfulness  came  to 
those  who  had  been  spared,  yet  the  thoughts  could  not  but  dwell 
with  lingering  sorrow  upon  the  less  fortunate  comrades  of  those 
who  had  marched  side  by  side  over  many  a  weary  mile  and  stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  in  the  shock  of  battle  ;  who  had  often  shared 
their  blankets  of  a  chilly  night  and  talked  of  the  loved  friends, 
the  distant  home  and  the  dearly  anticipated  return  when  the  war 
would  be  over.  Solacing  thoughts  that  came  in  the  phantasm  of 
dreams  never  to  be  realized  by  many. 

The  glories  of  war  were  lost  in  its  sickening  sights.  The 
gay  parade,  with  the  old-time  flag  gracefully  floating  in  the  even 
ing  breeze,  the  nodding  plumes,  gaudy  uniforms  with  brightly 
polished  buttons,  which  were  the  admiration  of  the  fair  sex,  the 
inspiring  notes  of  the  military  band  and  all  the  pomp  and  glamour 
of  war  that  shone  so  beautifully  as  the  regiment  marched  out 
from  their  home  camp  for  embarkation,  had  lost  their  charms  for 
him,  although  his  aching  heart  still  clung  tenderly  to  the  pathetic 
notes  of  "  The  girl  I  left  behind  me."  Now  it  had  become  a  life 
of  real  danger,  hardships,  deprivations  and  suffering.  He  looked 
for  the  bright  side,  which  he  knew  could  only  come  with  return 
ing  peace.  He  tried  in  vain  to  understand  why  all  this  misery 
and  human  suffering  should  be.  As  the  night  grows  more  chill, 
he  snuggles  nearer  his  sleeping  comrade  and  pulls  the  blanket 
more  closely  around  him,  occasionally  opening  his  eyes  to  look 
for  the  old  familiar  stars  which  are  hidden  by  the  thick  smoke  of 
battle  that  still  hangs  over  the  dense  forest,  then,  closing  them 
again,  he  tries  to  sleep  as  he  listens  to  the  random  shots  and 
hears  the  whiz  of  the  bullet  on  its  mission  of  death  as  it  goes 


46 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


crackling  through  the  slender  branches  of  the  trees.  These  mes 
sengers  tell  him  that  the  enemy  is  still  there  u  on  mischief  bent," 
but  he  feels  secure  in  the  answering  fire  of  our  own  sentinels  who 
keep  vigil  while  others  sleep.  Such  is  night  upon  a  battlefield. 

As  the  early  dawn  of  morning  came  to  shed  its  faint  rays  of 
light  through  the  gloomy  ravines,  the  prostrate  forms  quietly 
arose,  musket  in  hand,  and  once  more  stood  in  line,  sullenly 
facing  the  foe  and  again  ready  to  act  in  obedience  to  orders. 
Many  did  not  arise,  but  silently  remained  in  that  peaceful  sleep 
that  knows  no  wakening  until  the  swelling  strains  of  the  one 
universal  reveille  shall  awaken  all  earthly  sleepers,  not  to  bloody 
scenes  of  war,  but  to  an  eternal  peace  beyond  the  conflicts  of  this 
mortal  life. 

It  was  soon  discovered  that  the  enemy  still  held  his  position 
in  force,  but  neither  side  showed  any  disposition  to  assume  the 
offensive ;  both  were  strongly  posted  behind  earthworks,  and  an 
attack  from  either  would  have  resulted  in  disaster  to  the  one 
making  it.  The  deadly  struggle  of  the  previous  two  days  had 
left  both  combatants  in  poor  condition  to  renew  the  conflict. 
Small  groups  soon  gathered  around  the  camp-fires  to  cook  their 
coffee,  which,  with  the  historical  hard  tack,  made  their  frugal 
breakfast.  A  reconnoissance  in  force  of  the  enemy's  position, 
showed  how  futile  it  would  prove  to  make  another  front  attack 
upon  his  strongly  intrenched  position.  Then  the  inquiry  arose 
along  the  ranks  as  to  who  had  gained  the  victory.  The  man  who 
was  there  had  no  knowledge  of  anything  beyond  his  personal 
observations.  He  knew  that  the  position  of  the  contending  forces 
had  not  materially  changed.  He  saw  his  company  and  regiment 
badly  shattered,  and  the  dead,  both  in  blue  and  gray,  lying  around. 
The  question  was  passed  along  up  to  higher  authority  without 
receiving  any  satisfactory  answer  and  remains  unanswered  to  this 
day.  It  was  thought  that  the  New  York  Herald  would  decide  it 
and  let  us  know  all  about  what  we  had  been  doing.  It  finally 
came  to  us,  after  a  few  days  of  patient  waiting,  but  failed  to 
give  the  desired  answer.  It  had  been  costly  to  both,  and  both 
sides  claimed  the  victory ;  on  the  part  of  General  Lee  that  he  had 
temporarily  interrupted  the  march  of  General  Grant  and  inflicted 


THE    WILDERNESS.  47 

a  heavy  loss  upon  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  but  he  had  not 
defeated  it ;  on  the  part  of  General  Grant  that  he  still  held  pos 
session  of  the  roads  leading  out  of  the  Wilderness  to  the  South 
and  East,  by  which  he  could  resume  the  march  in  the  great  flank 
ing  movement,  which  had  been  his  original  plan  of  campaign,  and 
he  had  also  inflicted  a  proportionate  loss  upon  the  Confederate 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  but  had  failed  to  defeat  it.  Both 
had  fought  with  bravery  and  desperation,  the  Federals,  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  making  the  attack  upon  an  enemy  unseen  until 
after  receiving  the  shock  of  his  fire ;  while  the  Confederate 
attacks  were  not  made  until  the  Federal  lines  had  become  more 
clearly  defined. 

Authorities  do  not  agree  as  to  the  loss,  although  the  differ 
ence  is  not  very  great. 

Badeau  gives  the  Federal  loss,  aggregate,  15,467.  General 
Humphreys  in  the  "Army  of  the  Potomac"  gives  it  as  15,387. 
Fox  says  the  aggregate  Federal  loss  was  17,666.  Regimental 
reports  make  it  17,337.  What  would  appear  as  most  reliable 
is  that  given  in  the  Rebellion  Records  and  published  by  the  Wai- 
Department.  It  should  therefore  be  accepted  as  official,  viz.  :  — 

Killed.  143  officers.  2,103  enlisted  men. 

Wounded.    569  officers.  11,468  enlisted  men. 

Missing.       138  officers.  3,245  enlisted  men. 

Which  makes  an  aggregate  Federal  loss  of  17,666  ;  14,283  killed 
and  wounded.  Of  the  missing  many  were  never  again  heard 
from  and  probably  suffered  death  from  the  fire  which  spread 
among  the  wounded,  or  perished  by  the  slower  torture  of  sickness 
and  starvation  in  rebel  prisons. 

No  correct  report  could  be  obtained  of  the  Confederate  loss. 
A  tabular  statement  published  in  "  The  Medical  and  Surgical 
History  of  the  War,"  which  is  generally  accepted  as  being  nearly 
correct,  gives  it  as  follows  :  2,000  killed,  6,000  wounded,  and 
3,400  missing,  making  an  aggregate  of  11,400.  The  foregoing 
is  for  the  two  days,  May  5th  and  6th,  1864. 

The  loss  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  was  as  follows  : 
2  officers  killed,  7  wounded,  46  enlisted  men  killed,  154  wounded, 


48 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


43  missing,  making  the  aggregate  252.     This  does  not  include 
one  officer  rendered  liors  de  combat  by  sunstroke. 

Company  K  of  the  regiment,  under  Captain  Prescott,  was 
detailed  to  guard  wagon  trains,  and  did  not,  therefore,  become 
engaged.  There  were  also  detachments  from  the  several  com 
panies  detailed  on  cattle  guard  under  Lieutenant  Hitchcock,  and 
not  in  the  engagement.  There  are  no  means  of  ascertaining  the 
actual  number  of  men  the  regiment  took  into  action.  It  lacked 
considerable  of  being  its  full  strength. 


JOHN    ANDERSON, 

Capt.  U.S.  Army. 
Historian    57th    Mass. 


CHAPTER   IV. 


THE    WILDERNESS.    (Continued.) 

!N  a  private  letter,  written  by  General  Bartlett  who  com 
manded  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  at  that  time, 
dated  Rappahannock  Station,  Va.,  May  3d,  1864,  he 
speaks  of  the  coming  battle  and  the  regiment  in  the 
following  language:  ;' We  move  tomorrow  with  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac  ....  My  regiment  is  in 
no  condition  to  take  into  action,  but  I  must  do  the  best 
I  can.  It  will  be  a  long  and  hard  fight.  God,  I  hope,  will  give 
us  the  victory.  The  chances,  I  think,  are  even.  Grant,  I  fear, 
does  not  appreciate  Lee's  ability,  nor  the  quality  of  his  army. 
Let  us  hope  for  the  best  ....  Give  me  twenty  days  and  I 
could  make  a  splendid  regiment  of  this,  but  man  proposes  and 
God  disposes." 

In  saying  that  the  regiment  was  "  in  no  condition  to  take 
into  action  "  his  meaning  is  understood  by  the  writer,  who  on 
former  occasions  heard  him  express  the  opinion  that  more  bat 
talion  drills  were  necessary  in  order  that  the  several  companies 
might  be  able  to  work  more  in  harmony  and  attain  a  higher 
proficiency  in  tactical  movements.  The  weather  during  the  winter 
at  Camp  AYool  was  so  inclement  as  to  afford  very  few  opportunities 
for  battalion  movements.  When  it  was  not  cold  and  the  ground 
covered  with  snow,  it  was  too  wet  for  drill ;  even  as  late  as  two 
days  before  leaving  the  State  the  snow  had  to  be  swept  from  the 
ground  in  order  for  parade  and  inspection.  Every  opportunity 
was  taken  advantage  of  for  both  company  and  battalion  drills. 
Some  of  the  companies  were  organized  so  late  that  very  few 
opportunities  offered.  It  was  not  a  lack  of  confidence  in  the  men, 


50 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


as  shown  by  extracts  taken  from  his  diary  of  date  May  6th,  1864, 
after  the  engagement  of  that  day,  as  follows:  "Move  at  three 
A.M.  to  the  front.  It  will  be  a  bloody  day  ....  Went  into 
action  about  eight,  thick  woods,  men  behaved  well.  I  was  struck 
in  the  head  about  eleven,  carried  to  rear,  sent  to  the  hospital  in 
rear,  lay  there  among  the  wounded  and  dying  until  night  when 
there  was  a  falling  back  and  I  was  put  in  an  ambulance  .... 
Knocked  about  all  night.  I  slept  a  good  deal.  Morning  laid 
under  some  trees  near  the  road  to  Chancellorsville.  Afternoon 
persuaded  to  go  in  ambulance  to  Rappahannock,  thence  to 
Washington,  with  rest  of  the  wounded.  Went  to  Ely's  Ford, 
stayed  there  until  two  A.M.,  only  heard  of  five  of  my  officers  being 
wounded  ....  Colonel  Chandler  behaved  splendidly.  General 
Hancock  ordered  me  to  charge  over  a  regiment  lying  in  front  of 
us  that  would  not  move.  We  did  it  in  perfect  line.  Hancock 
said  '  Glorious.' " 

This  confirms  the  statement  heretofore  made  by  us  in  regard 
to  the  hour  the  regiment  went  into  action.  General  Bartlett  said 
"  about  eight."  As  others  remember,  it  was  nearer  seven,  there 
being  very  little  difference  between  "about  seven"  and  "about 
eight."  The  whole  division  was  engaged  at  that  time.  We  well 
remember,  after  having  been  in  action  what  seemed  to  us  an 
interminable  length  of  time,  of  looking  at  our  watch  and  it  was 
not  then  nine  A.M.,  and  we  concluded  that  Joshua  of  old  had 
returned  to  this  terrestrial  sphere  and  was  again  checking  the  sun 
in  its  course  in  order  to  give  Lee  time  to  bring  up  the  balance  of 
the  Confederacy.  If  he  could  have  employed  the  trumpets  on  the 
rebel  earthworks  that  we  were  charging,  with  the  same  effect  that 
he  did  upon  the  walls  of  Jericho,  it  would  have  been  of  great  ser 
vice  to  us.  Evidently  the  spirit  of  Joshua  was  not  with  us  that  day. 

I  quote  a  few  more  extracts  from  General  Bartlett's  diary  as 
follows:  "Sunday,  8th,  ambulance  moved  to  Chancellorsville, 
halting  there  at  half  past  nine,  A.M.,  moved  to  Pine  Grove 
Church.  Park  wagons  here.  I  don't  know  what  they  propose  to 
do  with  us.  My  idea  is,  Grant  is  getting  mixed 

"  The  loss  in  my  regiment  is  great,  nearly  two  hundred  killed 
and  wounded.  I  am  satisfied  with  their  conduct. 


THE    WILDERNESS.  51 

"  May  9th,  moved  into  Fredericksburg  this  morning  at  sun 
rise,  in  a  brick  house  here.  Lived  in  ambulance  three  days  and 
nights,  long  enough  ....  I  am  pretty  weak.  My  head  is  not 
bad,  stump  painful.  A  week  or  two  will  set  me  right  again 
....  Very  long,  long  day.  Sleep  on  the  floor  without  any 
cover,  not  cold." 

Again  May  10th,  General  Bartlett  records  in  his  diary : 
"  Long  miserable  day.  Hear  that  Sedgwick  is  killed.  I  would 
rather  that  any  other  officer  in  the  army  were  gone  than  he. 
His  body  has  come  ....  Awful  amount  of  suffering  here. 
Very  little  attendance.  No  supplies." 

The  wounding  of  General  Bartlett  left  the  regiment  in  charge 
of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Chandler,  a  gallant  man  and  one  whom 
everyone  loved.  We  will  have  occasion  to  speak  of  him  later. 

General  Bartlett  had  previously  lost  one  leg,  April  24th, 
1862,  while  a  Captain  in  the  20th  Mass.,  but  later  went  out  as 
Colonel  of  the  49th  Mass.  While  in  command  of  that  regiment, 
in  the  assault  upon  Port  Hudson,  he  received  two  more  wounds, 
one  shattering  the  bones  of  the  wrist  and  the  other  striking  the 
right  ankle  and  passing  through  the  sole  of  the  boot.  Subse 
quently  he  took  command  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts, 
and  was  wearing  a  cork  leg  when  he  lead  it  into  the  Wilderness. 

The  name  of  General  Bartlett  has  been  justly  eulogized  by 
poets  and  authors;  nothing  more  can  be  added,  save  to  say  that 
all  who  knew  him  in  the  field,  officers  and  enlisted  men  alike,  felt 
that  it  was  deserving ;  they  felt  a  personal  pride  in  these  eulogies 
and  were  proud  to  say  that  they  served  under  his  command.  We 
have  heard  it  remarked  by  some  who  "  did  not  get  there"  that  he 
placed  his  men  in  danger  for  the  sake  of  his  own  ambition ;  to 
gain  glory  and  promotion.  This  charge  is  refuted  by  the  fact  that 
he  never  took  his  command  into  battle  without  orders  from  higher 
authority,  and  then  did  not  send  them  in,  as  many  a  commanding 
officer  did  during  the  war,  but  led  them  in  person,  doing  his 
whole  duty  fearlessly,  and  setting  an  example  worthy  of  emulation 
to  many  higher  in  command  who  often  brought  disaster  by  not 
leading  their  commands,  more  disastrous  than  any  which  might 
result  from  the  course  pursued  by  General  Bartlett.  The  fact  that 


52  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 

those  who  followed  him  loved  him,  speaks  in  higher  praise  than 
words.  When  the  commanding  officer  leads  his  men  he  can  rest 
assured  they  will  follow  even  into  the  very  jaws  of  death.  The 
following  letter  was  written  by  His  Excellency,  Governor  Andrew 
of  Massachusetts,  under  date  of  May  Gth,  1864,  urging  his  appoint 
ment  as  Brigadier-General  as  follows  :  "  You  will  note  that  this  is 
the  second  time  Colonel  Bartlett  has  marched  from  Massachusetts 
at  the  head  of  a  regiment  since  losing  his  leg  in  the  battle  on  the 
Peninsula.  Besides  peculiar  courage  and  self  possession  in 
action,  he  is  a  young  man  of  fine  powers,  conspicuous  for  general 
mental  capacity  and  of  superior  culture.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Harvard  College.  I  have  the  honor  now  to  request  and  to  express 
my  fervent  wish  that  he  may  receive  at  once  that  commission  so 
well  deserved  by  an  intrepidity  and  a  merit  so  eminent." 

He  was  accordingly  commissioned  a  Brigadier-General  of 
Volunteers  to  date  from  June  20th,  1864. 

There  were  many,  both  officers  and  enlisted  men,  who  dis 
tinguished  themselves  in  this  engagement  and  sealed  with  their 
own  blood  the  eulogies  they  so  much  deserve.  To  mention  all 
would  fill  a  space  beyond  the  contemplated  limit  of  this  book,  yet 
duty  commands  that  some  of  the  more  conspicuous  should  be 
noted,  even  at  the  risk  of  being  tedious.  When  brave  men  give 
their  lives  for  their  country,  loyal  citizens  should  not  be  impatient 
in  reading  of  them. 

Capt.  Joseph  W.  Gird  was  killed  by  being  shot  through  the 
head.  J.  Brainerd  Hall,  who  was  a  non-commissioned  officer  in 
the  company  commanded  by  Captain  Gird,  and  who  saw  him 
when  he  fell,  speaks  of  him  as  follows:  "The  father  of  Captain 
Gird  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point  and  was  stationed  at  Fort 
Jackson,  La.,  where  he  was  subsequently  elected  professor  of 
mathematics  at  the  Louisiana  State  College.  Captain  Gird  was 
born  in  Jackson,  La.,  October,  1839.  On  the  death  of  his  father, 
his  mother  came  to  Worcester,  Mass.,  where  her  son  was  educated 
and  fitted  for  college,  he  having  graduated  at  the  Worcester  High 
School  and  at  one  time  was  connected  with  the  Worcester  Trans 
cript.  When  the  25th  Mass,  was  being  recruited,  he  was  study 
ing  law.  He  at  once  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  F  of  that 


THE    WILDERNESS. 


53 


regiment,  from  which  he  was  discharged  Aug.  26th,  1862,  by 
reason  of  promotion  to  1st  Lieutenant  in.  the  36th  Mass.,  being 
again  discharged  May  19th,  1863.  When  the  call  came  in  Octo 
ber,  1863,  for  more  men,  Lieutenant  Gird  was  one  of  the  first 
to  respond  to  the  call  and  again  enter  the  service.  He  was 
almost  immediately  commissioned  a  2d  Lieutenant  in  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Regiment,  the  commission  being  dated  Nov.  3d,  1863. 
He  was  promoted  Captain  Dec.  31st,  1863.  At  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  when  the  order  was  given  to  advance  from  the 
reserve  line,  where  the  Fifty-Seventh  had  been  lying  on  their  arms. 
Captain  Gird  stepped  to  the  front  of  his  company  and  addressed 
them.  He  cautioned  them  about  being  hasty,  advised  them  to 
keep  cool,  not  to  get  excited,  to  be  careful  and  not  break  the  line, 
not  to  fire  until,  the  command  was  given  and  then  to  fire  low.  As 
he  turned  from  addressing  his  men,  and  before  he  had  an  oppor 
tunity  to  give  a  single  command,  he  was  shot  in  the  head  and  was 
seen  to  throw  up  his  hands  and  fall  backwards."  Captain  Gird 
was  married  while  the  Fifty- Seventh  was  in  camp  at  Worcester. 
His  mother  and  a  daughter  are  still  living,  but  his  wife  died  some 
years  ago. 

Samuel  Souther,  1st  Sergeant  of  Company  B,  also  fell  in  this 
engagement.  Mr.  Souther  was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College 
and  Bangor  Theological  Seminary  and,  for  a  time,  was  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Belfast,  Maine.  Previous  to  his 
enlistment  he  was  Chaplain  of  the  Penal  and  Charitable  Institu 
tions  of  Worcester.'  He  had  also  served  in  the  General  Court  and 
was  much  respected  and  loved.  He  was  among  the  missing  at 
the  Wilderness,  and  whether  he  died  on  the  battlefield  or  in  the 
prison  pens  of  the  South  could  never  be  ascertained,  as  he  was 
never  heard  from  after  the  engagement. 

Mi\  Souther  was  a  man  of  high  personal  character  and  a  de 
voted  Christian,  of  strong  religious  convictions  which  he  consist 
ently  maintained,  and  never  allowed  anything  to  interfere  with  his 
religious  duties.  He  believed  it  to  be  his  Christian  duty  to  enlist 
in  the  army  for  the  defense  of  his  country,  and  sealed  his  devo 
tion  to  it  by  his  blood.  He  was  a  noble,  honorable,  true-hearted 
man. 


54 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


As  the  years  have  rolled  past  since  the  close  of  the  war, 
vague  and  sensational  rumors  have  at  times  appeared  in  print  re 
porting  that  he  had  been  seen  and  recognized  in  distant  countries 
with  a  life  as  strange  and  wonderful  as  that  of  the  "Wandering- 
Jew."  Yearning  hearts  have  reached  out  with  the  faint  hope  that 
possibly  he  might  return  again,  but  they  have  only  clutched  at 
the  shadows  of  disappointed  hope.  His  fate  cannot  be  known 
until  the  veil  is  lifted  from  mortal  eyes  and  the  darkness  which 
shrouds  our  earthly  vision  removed.  Then  it  will  be  known  that 
Sergeant  Souther  died  as  he  had  lived,  a  true  man. 

IN    MEMORY    OF 

REV.    SAMUEL    SOUTHER 

WHO    FELL    IN    THE    BATTLE    OF    THE    WILDERNESS 

MAY  6th,   1864. 

He  laid  his  civic  honors  down,  The  Battle  of  the  Wilderness, 

And  girded  for  the  fight,  '  Twas  there  he,  fighting,  fell ; 

Careless  of  place  or  high  renown.  And  still  is  there  his  resting-place, 

But  zealous  for  the  right.  But  the  spot  there's  none  to  tell. 

He  asked  not  sword  or  shoulder-  No  sepulture  by  mortal  hands 

knot  Was  his  ;  no  chiselled  stone 

His  sacrifice  to  grace;  In  honor  of  his  memory  stands, 

He  chose  the  common  soldier's  lot,  He  sleeps  with  God  alone. 
Within  the  ranks  his  place. 

Of  all  the  throng  of  martyred  ones, 

One   month   of   drill,    then  to   the  None  purer  fell  than  he ; 

front,  Ah,  happy  country,  when  thy  sons 

The  peer  of  veterans  there ;  Like  Souther  die  for  thee. 
One  month,  and  then  the  fiery  brunt 

Of  battle,  his  to  bear.  CHARLES  E.  STEVENS. 

Another  name,  though  not  one  of  high  rank,  but  one  which  is 
entitled  to  a  place  in  this  book,  as  it  is  written  high  upon  the  roll 
of  honor  in  the  service  of  his  country,  Charles  F.  Everett,  of 
Company  D,  a  lad  of  but  eighteen,  a  fair-haired,  blue-eyed  boy, 
with  a  face  as  soft  and  smooth  as  a  girl's.  He  left  the  Worcester 
High  School  to  enter  the  ranks  of  the  Fifty-Seventh.  Being  a 


DR.  WILLIAM   T.  SOUTHER, 

Son  of  Samuel  Souther. 
1st  Serg-t.  Co.  B.   57th  Mass. 


SAMUEL    SOUTHER, 

1st   Sergrt.  Co.  B,  57th    Mass. 


J.    H.    CASEY, 

Co.   C,    57th   Mass. 


C.    F.    PADDOCK; 

Co.  B,   57th   Mass. 


THE    WILDERNESS.  55 

bright  young  fellow,  with  good  education,  he  was  soon  detailed 
as  clerk  in  the  Quartermaster's  Department  and  in  that  capacity 
it  was  not  his  duty  to  carry  a  musket ;  but  as  the  sound  of  battle 
reached  him  back  at  the  wagon  train,  and  he  knew  his  regiment 
was  engaged,  he  felt  that  he  must  be  there  too.  Taking  a  musket 
and  ammunition  he  started  to  the  front,  nothing  daunted  by  the 
dead  and  wounded  which  he  saw  on  every  side  upon  his  way. 
He  entered  the  dark  thicket  of  the  bloody  field  never  to  come 
out  alive  ;  supposed  to  have  been  killed.  General  Bartlett  met 
him  as  he  was  going  in  and  ordered  him  back  to  his  place  with  the 
wagons.  He  turned  in  that  direction,  but  did  not  go  there.  No 
court-martial  tried  him  for  disobedience  of  orders,  as  the  great 
Advocate,  we  believe,  pleaded  his  cause  to  the  higher  court 
above. 

"  C  A  r  T  A I X    A  X  D  E  R  SON: 

May  G,  180-i,  after  having  gone  into  position  in  the  Wilderness, 
Charles  F.  Everett  from  my  own  town,  whom  I  had  known  almost  from 
his  birth  and  who  had  enlisted  as  a  musician  in  Fifty-Seventh  Massachu 
setts,  being  only,  as  I  remember,  some  sixteen  years  of  age,  came  to  me 
while  in  line,  after  we  had  changed  position,  some  distance  to  the  left 
from  our  original  first  position,  and  asked  me  to  supply  him  with  a 
musket  and  ammunition,  which  I  positively  refused  to  do,  as  he  was  a 
non-combatant.  Knowing  his  whole  family  intimately  and  deeming  the 
position  hazardous  in  the  extreme,  I  remonstrated  with  him  very 
strongly  and  tried  to  have  him  change  his  mind,  but  he  left  me,  saying  he 
would  have  a  gun  u  anyway,"  and  would  go  on  the  skirmish  line. 
Shortly  after  he  returned  with  a  musket  and  pocket  filled  with  cartridges, 
saying:  ••  I  am  going,  Warren,  and  no  thanks  to  you."  I  again  tried  to 
stop  him,  speaking  to  him  of  his  mother  and  sisters.  It  was  of  no  avail, 
he  wont.  Shortly  after  the  color  sergeant,  Robert  C.  Horrigan,  of  our 
regiment,  was  granted  permission  by  the  colonel  of  our  regiment  to 
visit  the  line  in  front  of  us,  when  the  firing  commenced  in  earnest. 
As  he  had  seen  young  Everett  with  me,  I  asked  him  to  try  and  bring 
him  back  or  get  him  back  some  way,  as  he  was  a  favorite  of  mine. 
He  shortly  returned  himself  and  immediately  resumed  his  position  in 
line,  saying  as  he  passed  me,  "I  will  tell  you  of  your  boy  later," 
which  he  did  after  our  lines  were  driven  back,  saying  he  left  him 
lying  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  wounded  severely  in  right  hip,  that  he 
was  unable  to  bring  him  away  and  that  he  was  sorry  he  was  unable 
to  do  so,  as  I  seemed  to  care  so  much  for  him.  The  next  day,  at 


56  FIFTY-SEVKNTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

my  request,  Horrigan  tried  to  locate  him  and  bring  him  in  if  found, 
but  was  unable  to  do  so.  I  have  always  believed  he  was  one  of  the  un 
known  dead  in  that  fearful  fight  and  loss  on  that  day  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts. 

W.  B.  GALUCIA, 
Late  Captain  Co.  E  56th  Mass." 

Lieut.  James  M.  Cbilds  was  also  reported  missing,  and  as  he 
was  never  afterwards  heard  from,  it  was  supposed  that  he  was 
killed  in  battle.  Of  this  officer  very  little  is  known  to  us.  He 
enlisted  in  Company  B  of  the  regiment,  Jan.  4th,  1864,  was  made 
1st  Sergeant  and  promoted  to  2d  Lieutenant  April  Oth.  He 
was  of  a  quiet,  retiring  disposition,  painstaking  in  all  matters  of 
duty  and  gave  promise  of  making  an  excellent  officer.  "Killed 
in  the  Wilderness  "  is  as  eloquent  an  eulogy  as  could  be  said  of 
anyone.  Those  who  were  there  know  what  it  expresses. 

Besides  those  who  were  killed  many  subsequently  died  from 
the  effects  of  wounds.  Among  them  is  the  name  of  Private 
Charles  H.  Leonard  of  Company  H.  His  remains  were  sent  to  his 
home,  Rutland,  Mass.,  for  burial,  arriving  there  May  28th.  The 
Worcester  £/)?/,  of  May  30th,  1864,  speaks  of  him  as  follows: 
"  Private  Leonard,  in  response  to  his  country's  call,  left  home  and 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Fifty- Seventh  Regiment,  in  December 
last,  where  he  served  with  constant  and  devoted  attention  as  a 
student  soldier  while  in  camp  during  the  winter.  He  was  a  good 
soldier,  cheerful  companion,  a  true  patriot  and  an  unflinching 
hero.  He  fell  with  a  mortal  wound  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
but  survived  the  shock  until  removed  to  Washington.  Hon. 
J.  W.  Bigelow  of  Rutland  went  for  the  body,  which  rests  in  his 
native  town."  Henry  C.  Maloney,  of  Company  D,  died  from  the 
effects  of  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  His 
death  occurred  Oct.  6th,  1864,  at  the  age  of  18.  He  had  previ 
ously  been  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  and  was  on 
duty  at  Troy,  N.Y.  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  remains  were 
sent  to  his  home,  Leicester,  Mass.,  his  native  town,  and  buried 
with  military  honors  in  Pine  Grove  Cemetery.  He  was  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment  a  member  of  the  Military  Academy  of 
Leicester. 


THE    WILDERNESS.  0  / 

Another  victim  of  the  Wilderness,  of  which  honorable  mention 
can  be  made,  Antonio  Phillips  of  Company  D.  The  Worcester 
S'py  of  Jan.  12,  1865,  speaks  of  him  as  follows:  "Intelligence 
has  been  received  by  the  return  of  Doctor  Gould  of  Fitchburg, 
who  arrived  home  from  Andersonville,  Ga.,  December  26th,  of  the 
death  of  Antonio  Phillips  of  Oxford,  by  starvation  in  the  rebel 
prison  at  that  place,  on  the  15th  of  September,  1864.  Mr. 
Phillips  originally  entered  the  service  in  Company  D,  of  the  15th 
Mass.  Regiment,  from  which  he  was  discharged  on  account  of 
injuries  received  in  the  service.  He  afterwards  enlisted  with  the 
51st  Regiment  and  served  with  it  during  its  nine  months  of  service. 
On  the  organization  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Regiment,  he  enlisted 
again  and  was  captured  the  7th  of  May  last.  During  a  consider 
able  part  of  his  different  terms  of  service,  he  was  emplo37ed  as  an 
assistant  in  hospital,  a  work  for  which  he  was  particularly  adapted, 
and  many  a  good  soldier  in  the  three  regiments  will  read  with  pain 
the  announcement  of  the  unfortunate  end  of  one  who  administered 
so  faithfully  and  so  cheerfully  to  their  wants  while  under  his 
care." 

Space  will  not  permit  of  special  mention  of  all  the  wrounded. 
One  deserving  of  mention  is  that  of  Corpl.  J.  Brainerd  Hall  of 
Company  B,  to  whom  we  have  acknowledged  indebtedness  for 
much  information  contained  in  this  book ;  his  love  for  the  old 
regiment  having  led  him  to  gather  and  preserve  items  of  interest, 
which  are  of  great  value. 

Corporal  Hall  was  shot  direct!}7  through  the  body,  the  wound 
being  considered  mortal.  Although  never  entirely  recovering 
from  the  effects  of  it,  yet  he  has  managed  to  live  up  to  present 
date.  His  preservation  was  due  to  excellent  nursing  and  good 
grit.  His  experience  at  the  time  was  quite  interesting  and  well 
worth  the  little  space  it  will  occupy  here,  as  described  in  his  own 
language.  He  was  placed  in  an  ambulance  about. one  hour  after 
being  wounded  and  in  a  few  hours  was  three  times  in  the  hands 
of  the  rebels  before  reaching  the  hospital.  He  was  wounded  on 
the  left  of  the  line.  After  arriving  at  the  hospital  he  was  kindly 
cared  for  by  the  surgeon  in  attendance,  for  which  he  expresses 
thanks  to  Colonel  Bartlett.  Also  received  much  aid  and  comfort 


58  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

from  the  Christian  Commission.  The  night  after  the  battle  (May 
6th)  the  hospital  had  to  be  abandoned  by  reason  of  the  near 
approach  of  the  enemy.  All  the  wounded  that  were  able  to  be 
moved  in  army  wagons  were  carried  to  the  rear.  "About  fifty 
of  us  were  so  badly  wounded  that  it  was  believed  it  would  be 
safer  to  remain  than  to  be  transported  with  the  conveniences  at 
hand.  The  shells  from  the  rebel  batteries  fell  around  us  all  that 
night.  The  assistant  surgeon  of  the  59th  Regiment  (I  think) 
and  Antonio  Phillips  (hereto  referred  to)  volunteered  to  remain 
with  us.  Early  the  next  morning  Lieutenant,  subsequently  Capt. 
George  E.  Barton,  who  was  at  that  time  attached  to  the  ambulance 
corps,  knowing  of  our  perilous  condition,  came  to  the  rescue  with 
a  small  squad  of  cavalry.  He  arrived  just  in  time  and  all  were 
taken  off  in  time  to  avoid  capture  by  the  rebel  advance  with  two 
exceptions,  Doctor  Gould  and  Antonio  Phillips,  who  stopped  to 
pick  up  something  that  had  been  left  by  a  wounded  comrade  and 
were  gobbled  up.  Lieutenant  Barton  joined  the  remainder  of  the 
ambulance  train  and  after  a  ride  extending  from  Saturday,  May 
7th,  to  Monday  morning,  May  9th,  arrived  at  Fredericksburg. 
Here  every  church  in  the  city  was  a  hospital  and  every  one  was  full, 
while  all  round  outside  lay  wounded  men  ready  to  take  the  places 
of  those  who  were  dying  within  or  being  removed  to  Washington, 
Alexandria  and  Baltimore,  via  Belle  Plain.  Every  public  building 
was  full,  while  in  the  smaller  houses  were  wounded  men  who  had 
personal  friends  or  relatives  in  the  Christian  or  Sanitary  Com 
mission,  or  friends  who  had  been  passed  from  Washington  for 
that  purpose,  and  were  being  kindly  cared  for.  The  large  agri 
cultural  warehouses  were  also  full  of  soldiers,  placed  in  rows, 
upon  muddy  and  bloody  blankets,  while  nurses  were  going  up  and 
down  between  the  rows  with  pails  of  ice  water. 

"  For  the  first  few  days  at  Fredericksburg  it  was  almost  im 
possible  to  obtain  bandages.  The  women,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
were  bitter  rebels  and  would  do  all  they  could  to  prevent  us  from 
finding  or  buying  a  single  piece  of  cloth.  The  bandage  with 
which  my  own  wound  was  bound  up  was  part  of  the  white  skirt 
belonging  to  an  elderly  lady  who  brought  roses  into  the  Southern 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  where  I  was  lying,  a  Mrs.  McCabe. 


THE    WILDERNESS.  59 

Seeing  the  need  of  a  bandage,  she  loosed  her  skirt,  cut  it  into 
strips,  and  handed  it  to  my  father,  who  proceeded  to  dress  my 
own  and  other  soldiers'  wounds." 

Corporal  Hall  further  states  in  a  recent  letter,  as  follows  : 
"  I  was  wounded,  went  back  nearly  to  the  Brock  road,  loaded  into 
an  ambulance,  taken  half  way  to  the  Chancellorsville  house,  cap 
tured  and  recaptured  twice  and  taken  to  the  Fifth  Corps  Hospital 
near  the  Wilderness  Run,  all  before  nine  o'clock  A.M.  After  I 
had  been  placed  in  the  field  hospital  and  cared  for  by  Doctor 
White,  the  sun  was  shining  on  my  face  on  the  right  side  and  a 
piece  of  tent  was  fixed  up  by  a  member  of  the  Christian  Commis 
sion.  In  the  afternoon  that  same  piece  of  tent  was  changed  by 
Doctor  Gould  to  the  opposite  side.  I  go  thus  into  details  to  show 
that  all  of  this  could  not  have  transpired  if  we  did  not  get  up  to 
the  junction  of  the  Orange  plank  and  Brock  roads  until  nearly 
noon.  It  may  be  said  that  it  was  a  long  time  from  the  start  that 
morning  until  the  regiment  was  engaged,  and  it  was.  The  sun 
rose  that  morning  at  two  minutes  of  five  and  was  two  hours  high 
even  at  seven  o'clock." 

Special  mention  is  made  as  to  the  time  the  Fifty- Seventh 
became  engaged  on  the  6th  of  May,  it  being  claimed  that  the  divi 
sion  to  which  the  Fifty- Seventh  belonged  became  engaged  early 
in  the  morning.  In  our  opinion,  it  was  about  8  A.M.  At  what 
time  the  balance  of  the  Ninth  Corps  went  into  position  we  do 
not  know. 

Capt.  C.  D.  Hollis,  of  the  Fifty- Seventh,  who  was  badly 
wounded  on  the  Gth,  thinks  the  regiment  went  into  action 
about  nine  A.M.  The  adventures  of  the  Captain,  after  having 
been  wounded,  were  rather  thrilling  and  unpleasant.  After  hav 
ing  been  carried  from  the  field  he  was  taken  to  the  Sixth  Corps  Hos 
pital  where  he  was  without  care  or  attention,  except  that  given  him 
by  his  servant,  until  two  o'clock  of  the  7th,  when  Surgeon  Jewett, 
of  the  14th  Connecticut,  dressed  his  wound,  which  was  considered 
fatal.  By  this  time  it  had  become  very  sore  and  painful  and  he 
was  faint  from  loss  of  blood.  In  this  condition  he  was  placed  in 
an  ambulance  and  taken  over  the  rough  road  towards  Germanna 
Ford  and  then  brought  back  again  and  sent  to  Fredericksburg, 


60  FIFTY  SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

from  which  place  he  was  sent,  with  others  who  were  badly  wounded, 
towards  Belle  'Plain  en  route  to  a  northern  hospital.  Captain 
Lawrence  and  Lieutenant  Barker  also  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  were 
among  the  number.  Soon  after  dark  they  were  suddenly  attacked 
by  a  detachment  of  Mosby's  guerillas.  Lieutenant  Bond  of  the 
20th  Massachusetts  was  mortally  wounded  and  died  on  the  14th. 
During  the  time  they  were  in  the  hands  of  the  guerillas  they  were 
treated  'as  the  Captain  says,  "  brutally  in  the  extreme,  calling  us 
by  all  the  foul  names  they  could  call  to  mind,  at  the  same  time 
punching  us  in  the  head  with  their  revolvers  and  robbing  us  of  what 
valuables  they  could  find.  They  took  my  watch  but  I  saved  my 
pocket-book  by  secreting  it  under  my  back.  I  could  see  them  as 
they  were  rifling  the  pockets  of  those  around  me.  I  told  the  one 
who  robbed  me  that  he  ought  to  be  ashamed  to  treat  wounded  and 
helpless  men  in  such  a  way,  but,  placing  his  revolver  against  my 

head,  he  called  me saying :  '  You  come  here  and  burn  our 

houses  and  turn  us  out  of  home,'  this  being  emphasized  with  lan 
guage  that  was  more  forcible  than  eloquent." 

It  was  not  known  that  any  officers  were  in  the  party,  as 
Captain  Hollis  represented  that  they  were  all  privates. 

Capt.  Charles  Barker,  who  was  1st  Lieutenant  of  Company 
F,  Fifty-Seventh,  in  the  Wilderness,  gives  the  following  account 
of  his  experience  in  this  battle  and  subsequently  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  which  will  be  found  of  great  interest.  We 
well  remember  seeing  him  fall  as  he  was  wounded,  and  admired 
the  quiet  bravery  he  displayed  at  the  time.  He  says:  "  I  was 
wounded  May  6,  1864.  The  left  of  Company  H  and  right  of 
the  next  company,  I  do  not  remember  which  one,  fell  back  and 
went  past  me.  I  stepped  into  line  with  the  regiment  and  ordered 
them  back.  They  were  nearly  back  in  line  again  when  I  fell, 
wounded  through  the  thigh.  Captain  Lawrence  came  to  me  and 
tied  my  handkerchief  around  my  leg,  as  the  wound  was  bleeding 
freely.  I  tried  to  get  back  with  the  help  of  a  musket,  but  the  leg 
would  not  go,  so  I  sat  down  and  *  hitched '  back  a  short  distance 
when  Captain  Lawrence,  who  had  just  been  wounded  through  the 
neck,  and  someone  else,  I  do  not  remember  who,  came  to  my  help 
and  succeeded  in  "letting  me  back  until  we  met  the  stretcher  bear- 


THE    WILDERNESS. 


61 


ers  who  carried  us  to  the  ambulance,  which  took  us  to  the  field 
hospital  where  we  remained  until  about  midnight,  when  the  sur 
geon  gave  orders  to  move  all  who  could  be  moved  as  quickly  and 
quietly  as  possible,  as  the  '  rebs '  were  preparing  to  shell  the 
hospital,  to  all  appearances  ;  so  we  started  and  travelled  until 
morning,  when  we  came  to  a  plantation  where  we  were  cared  for 
and  rested  part  of  the  day,  when  we  were  again  started  for  Rap- 
pahaunock  Station,  but  were  met  by  a  band  of  '  loyal  farm 
ers.'  We  fell  back  in  rear  of  the  army.  In  the  afternoon  we 
started  with  a  long  train  for  Fredericksburg,  where  we  arrived  on 
the  pth,  remaining  until  eleven  that  night;  we  started  for  Belle 
Plain  en  route  for  Washington.  About  one  A.M.  of  the  12th,  we 
were  stopped  by  the  Mosby  gang  who  fired  into  us,  overhauled 
and  ordered  us  out  of  the  wagons  in  terms  more  impressive  than 
elegant  or  refined.  I  did  not  obey.  I  was  sitting  on  the  bottom 
of  the  wagon  between  Captain  Hollis  and  a  lieutenant  of  the 
51st  New  York,  who  were  lying  down  when  they,  the  guerrillas, 
presented  pistols  and  demanded  watches  and  money.  I  hid  mine 
in  the  straw  and  told  them  I  had  nothing  for  them.  Someone 
gave  them  a  watch,  which  partially  pacified  them,  and,  as  they 
were  in  a  great  hurry,  they  took  the  horses  and  left  us  in  the  mud 
where  we  remained  until  the  supply  train  returned  from  Freder 
icksburg,  which  we  had  met  as  it  was  going  there  the  day  before. 
They  took  us  to  Belle  Plain  where  we  took  the  boat  for  Washing 
ton  and  arrived  about  midnight  of  the  12th,  being  six  days  from 
the  day  I  was  wounded." 

The  Confederate  cavalry,  under  Colonel  Mosby,  or  as  they 
were  termed  by  us,  "•  guerrillas,"  was  a  sort  of  independent,  irreg 
ular  organization  of  men  who  mostly  inhabited  that  section  of 
Virginia  where  the  operations  of  both  armies  were  principally 
confined.  They  were  dressed  in  a  variety  of  uniforms,  or  moie 
generally,  none  at  all,  and  might  be  seen  in  the  day  cultivating 
their  fields  while  at  night  they  would  hang  upon  the  rear  and 
flanks  of  our  marching  army.  In  this  way  they  were  enabled  to 
obtain  information  concerning  the  movements  of  the  Federal 
army,  which  was  promptly  communicated  to  the  Confederate 
leader.  It  was  a  force  hard  to  find,  except  in  such  cases  as  men- 


62 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


tioned  by  Captain  Hollis.  Many  were  the  stragglers  who  fell  into 
their  hands  never  to  be  heard  from  again.  However,  it  rendered 
some  service  to  our  army  by  preventing  straggling  to  a  great  ex 
tent,  but  when  one  fell  out  from  sheer  exhaustion,  there  was  very 
little  hope  for  him.  These  men  should  not  be  classed  with  that 
gallant  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  under  Gen.  Robert  E. 
Lee.  Men  who  engage  in  honorable  warfare  and  stand  squarely 
up  in  battle  are  men  who  respect  prisoners  of  war,  especially 
those  who  are  disabled  by  honorable  wounds.  It  is  only  the 
brutal  coward,  who  has  not  the  courage  to  face  the  storm  of  battle, 
who  will  abuse  a  wounded  prisoner. 

Following  will  be  found  a  list  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  who 
were  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  on  the  6th  day  of  May, 
1864:- 

Capt.  Joseph  W.  Gird. 
Lieut.  James  M.  Childs  —  died  of  wounds. 


ENLISTED    MEN   KILLED. 


Sergt. 
Pvt. 


Co.  A 


William  H.  Wilson, 
Daniel  McDonald, 
Michael  Gillin, 
Patrick  Murphy,  " 

Michael  Shaughnessy,      "  " 

Silas  N.  Carter,  " 

Daniel  O'Conner,  "•  " 

Samuel  Souther,      1st  Sergt.  Co.  B 
(Heretofore  reported  missing.) 


Lewis  Moore, 
Nicholas  Finn, 
John  Zimmerman, 
Joseph  Rowland, 
Frank  Bird, 
Lester  Tyler, 
Henry  A.  Collins, 
Charles  Jones, 
Joshua  Hathaway, 
George  M.  Alden, 
Seva  Brown, 
Thomas  Benroy, 
Charles  Burr, 
John  Corbett, 


Pvt.      Co.  B 

«       Co.  C 


Corp.  Co.  D 
Pvt. 


Corp. 
Pvt. 


Co.  E 


Thomas  Farrell,  Pvt.      Co.  E 

Joseph  Longdt. 
George  M.  Hammond,      " 
Robert  McCoy, 
Michael  O'Connor 
Lorenzo  White,  " 

John  P.  Maynard,  Pvt.    Co.  F 

(Reported  missing  May  0,  not 
heard  from  since.) 


Henry  M.  Fales, 
John  E.  Tuthill, 
James  J.  Willard, 
Charles  H.  Waite, 
William  Day, 
William  S.  Bourne, 
Elisha  C.  Davenport, 
William  Flanagan, 
Frank  Lashua, 
George  E.  Reed, 
Herbert  W.  Bond, 
Charles  E.  Young, 
William  M.  Caldwell, 
Albert  S.  Ewing, 


Corp.    Co.  G 


Pvt. 


Sergt. 
Corp. 
Pvt. 


Co.  H 


THE    WILDERNESS. 


63 


John  Handley, 
Lewis  Richardson, 
Eugene  Smith, 
William  G.  Olds, 
Elmer  J.  Hardy, 
Joseph  Fortin, 
Michael  Stanley, 


Pvt.     Co.  H 


Corp.    Co.  I 
Pvt. 


Michael  Shelly, 
Otis  E.  Wheeler, 
David  Parker, 
Albert  W.  Dow, 
Jeremiah  W.  Marsh, 
Sterling  A.  Hopkins 


Pvt.     Co.  I 


Co.  K 


The   following  named   men  were   wounded   at   the  Wilder 


ness  : 


Col.  Wm.  F.  Bartlett. 
Capt.  Levi  Lawrence. 
Capt.  Charles  D.  Hollis. 


OFFICERS. 


1st  Lieut.  John  L.  Goodwin. 
1st  Lieut.  Edward  S.  Dewey 
1st  Lieut.  Charles  Barker. 


ENLISTED    MEN. 


Gusta  Beltran, 
Hiram  K.  Ballon, 
Patrick  Birmingham, 
John  Davis, 
John  Fregean, 
James  Howarth, 
Anthony  Hey  ton, 
George  Lawson, 
Asa  M.  Ray, 
Henry  A.  Sawtelle, 
John  Teague, 
Patrick  Crowe, 
Josiah  B.  Hall, 
John  Midgley, 
Warren  E.  Brewer, 
Amasa  Bryant, 
Francis  W.  Billiard, 
William  H.  Clark, 
Michael  Fleming, 
John  A.  Hart, 
J.  W.  C.  Heintzleman 
Charles  A.  Kirknp, 
Edwin  II.  Smith, 
Timothy  G.  Sullivan, 
Peter  Ward, 
Warren  W.  Sawyer, 


Pvt.     Co.  A 


Corp.    Co.  B 


Pvt. 


Charles  F.  Kellogg, 
George  Billings, 
Patrick  Gallen, 
Thomas  Rutledge, 
James  Ackley,  . 
Cornelius  Harley, 
Joseph  Honte, 
Gustavus  S.  Holden, 
Charles  A.  Knight, 
William  Kyle, 
Michael  Kelley, 
David  Lavonte, 
John  Murphy, 
Jacob  Meatte, 
James  Norway, 
John  Ryan, 
Gilbert  Sandy, 
Edward  Saucy, 
Thomas  Shehan, 
John  Daley, 
Albert  F.  Ellis, 
Peter  Labombard, 
Joseph  N.  Shailor, 
George  Pecardet, 
John  Crosby, 
Patrick  Gilmore,      1st 


Sergt. 
Corp. 

Pvt. 


Co.  C 


Sergt.  Co.  D 


64 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


John  Clark,  Sergt.  Co.  I) 

Theodore  B.  Kendall,  Corp.  " 

Robert  F.  McCurdy,  "  " 

James  Hodge,  Pvt. 

John  Cnrley,  "  "• 

Martin  E.  Finkle, 

George  N.  Hudson,  "  " 

Martin  Kelly,  "  " 

Thomas  Long,  lt  u 

Alfred  McDonald, 

Henry  C.  Maloney,  " 

John  O'Snllivan,  " 

Henry  C.  Scriber,  "  " 

James  Vocell,  "  "• 

Ensign  A.  Oaks,  "  "• 

Horace  H.  Paine,    1st  Sergt.  Co.  E 

Frank  D.  Fuller,  Corp.  "• 

Alexander  McCoy,  "  tl 

Cephas  B.  Pasco,  Pvt.  tl 

Samuel  S.  Smith, 

Asa  1).  Burleigh, 

George  N.  Cheeney,  "•  "• 

Edwin  Cudworth,  "• 

Nahum  Bryant,  'l 

Patrick  McNamee,  " 

Martin  Karrigan,  "  " 

James  Bartlett,        1st  Sergt.  Co.  F 

William  S.  Dunn,  Corp. 

Aaron  Wilkins,  Pvt. 

Charles  W.  Babbitt, 

Augnstin  Bourdon,  "  tl 

Edwin  A.  Flagg, 

Henry  Fuller,  u  " 

James  M.  Frost,  "  " 

Alfred  E.  Gore, 

Albion  Mclntire  ct  " 

John  McDowell,  " 

Michal  O'Donnell, 

Edmund  Pine,  "  " 

Michael  Harris,  tl  4t 

William  Skye, 

Henry  A.  Wilkins,  "  tl 

George  Adams,        1st  Sergt.  Co.  G 

Thomas  G.  Jordan,  "  " 


.  Co.  II 


William  Worthy,  Corp.  Co.  G 

Daniel  Sullivan,  Pvt. 

Victor  Rosette,  "•  " 

Charles  O.  Adams, 

William  M.  Drake, 

Cornelius  J.  Dailey,         "  " 

Charles  W.  Frelick, 

William  H.  Flagg, 

Garrett  Fitzgerald,          "•  " 

Timothy  H.  Lewis, 

James  Lowe,  "  lt 

Michael  Melvin, 

John  Morrissey,  " 

Lewis  Mountain,  "  u 

Horace  Danyon,  " 

Lorenzo  Fletcher,  lt 

Masial  Mallet,  "  "• 

Oscar  B.  Phelps, 

Cyrus  R.  Ramsdell, 

Timothy  Shehan,  "  " 

Francis  E.  Cooley,  "  " 

Patrick  W.  Fox,  ! 

William  C.  Park,      1st     tl 

Charles  S.  Chase,      "     ." 

Charles  H.  Pinkham,    Corp. 

Otis  D.  Ainsworth,       Pvt. 

Joseph  H.  Binney,  " 

George  A.  Brown, 

Henry  A.  F.  Hoyt, 

George  T.  Lincoln, 

Samuel  M.  Levering,       l' 

Charles  II.  Leonard,        "• 

James  A.  Marshall, 

Charles  Sharp, 

Warren  II.  Stock  well,     l' 

Charles  B.  Wilson, 

John  S.  Williams, 

George  H.  Wood, 

Pierce  Culliton,  Corp. 

John  Brown,  Pvt. 

Peter  A.  Burrows,  " 

Timothy  Curtin,  " 

Dennis  Collins,  " 

Patrick  Culliton, 


Co.  I 


THE    WILDERNESS.  65 

John  Crowe,  Pvt.      Co.  I       Daniel  Sullivan,               Pvt.     Co.  I 

John  G.  Daniels,  "          George  W.  Wilcox, 

John  Houlihan,  Orrin  E.  Writer, 

Sylvester  Myers,  William  Woodville, 

Louis  Reno,  Albert  C.  Wheeler,           •i       Co.  K 

Many  of  the  wounded  died  soon  after  the  engagement,  others 
lingered  a  while  to  die  of  their  wounds  later,  others  died  in  Con 
federate  prisons,  while  others  became  crippled  for  life. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  missing,  many  of  whom  died, 
as  supposed,  upon  the  battlefield,  others  in  Confederate  prisons, 
while  others  were  never  again  heard  from.  If  their  remains  found 
sepulture,  it  was  in  unknown  graves  :  — 


George  W.  Maynarcl,   Pvt.      Co.  A 
William  Maynarcl, 
Charles  H.  Rugg, 

(Captured  and  died  at  Danville 
Prison,  leg  amputated.) 


James  B.  Freeman, 
Henry  J.  Fuller, 
William  Bates, 
William  Robbins, 
Charles  F.  Knox, 
(Killed.      Was 


Sergt.  Co.  B 

Corp. 

Pvt. 


Sergt.  Co.  C 
seen    by     Lieu 
tenant  Royce  lying  upon  the  field 
shot  through  the  forehead.) 
Wilber  F.  Ward,  Corp.    Co.  D 

Charles  F.  Everett,       Mns. 
Stewart  M.  G.  Fullerton,  Pvt.       " 
James  Hodge,  Pvt.  " 

Say  brook  Lee,  "  " 

(Died  in  hands  of  enemy.) 
John  O'Xeil,  Pvt.      Co.  D 

John  Brown,  u        Co.  E 

(Die:l   October    12th,  at   Ander 
son  ville.) 


Austin  K.  Gould,  Pvt.      Co.  F 

George  C.  McMaster,       'l 

Charles  Ryan, 

David  Keilty,  " 

Abraham  Luchay, 

William  T.  Peabody, 

(Died  Sept.  2d,  180-i,  at  Ander- 

sonville,  Ga.) 

James  Richards,  Pvt.      Co.  F 

Augustus  T.  Covell,          "       Co.  G 

(Died  of  wounds  at  Annapolis, 

Mel.,  Sept.  7th,  186-4.) 
John  B.  Covell,  Pvt,      Co.  G 

Luther  C.  Hawkins,          "  " 

John  White, 

John  W.  Crowley,  'l        Co.  H 

George  W.  Emerson,        " 

(Died  at  Andersonville.  Aug. 

27th,  18G4.) 

Frank  Short,  Pvt.      Co.  H 

John  II.  Richards,  "       Co.    I 


The  above  lists  were  prepared  with  great  care  from  reports 
on  file  in  the  Adjutant-General's  Office,  State  of  Massachusetts. 
While  they  may  not  be  strictly  accurate  in  all  the  details,  yet 


66  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

they  are  as  correct  as  can  be  made  at  this  late  da}7.  The  reports 
from  which  they  were  taken  were  made  by  the  regimental  com 
manders  while  in  the  field  and  without  having  access  to  official 
records.  There  are  absolutely  no  monthly  reports  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  on  file.  The  special  reports  of  casualties  that  were  sent 
in  were  taken  largely  from  memory,  which  accounts  for  many 
names  that  are,  doubtless,  spelled  incorrectly,  and  others  that 
may  have  been  omitted  entirely,  still  the  errors,  if  any,  are  few. 
and  it  is  thought  better  to  publish  the  lists  in  their  entirety  rather 
than  to  omit  them  altogether.  The  regiment  passed  rapidly  from 
one  commanding  officer  to  another  as  one  after  another  fell  in 
battle.  It  was  the  same  with  company  commanders  and  1st 
Sergeants.  Marching  or  fighting  nearly  every  day,  sometimes 
both,  for  months,  gave  but  few  opportunities  for  making  out 
reports.  The  one  object,  which  was  paramount  to  everything 
else,  was  to  do  one's  duty  in  battle,  and,  after  that,  to  try  and 
take  care  of  one's  self  with  what  few  facilities  the  conditions  of 
war  afforded.  An  order  would  come  calling  for  reports,  which 
were  always  regarded  as  "red  tape";  no  one  wanted  to  be 
bothered.  The  great  struggle  in  which  the  army  was  engaged 
absorbed  everything  else.  Regimental  commanders  would  call 
upon  company  commanders  for  reports  of  their  companies ,  then 
a  scene  something  like  the  following  would  take  place  :  Company 
Commander — "Sergeant  Blazes,  O,  Sergeant  Blazes  —  where's 
that  Sergeant?  "  (Voice  from  the  rifle  pit)  :  "Out  washing  his 
shirt,  sir."  "  Well,  you  go  and  find  him  and  tell  him  I  want  to 
see  him  immediately.'''  Half  an  hour  later  the  much  needed  1st 
Sergeant  is  seen  approaching.  "  Come,  Sergeant,  hurry  up,  I'm 
waiting  for  you."  "  Had  to  wrait  for  my  shirt  to  dry,  sir,  before 
I  could  put  it  on."  "Hang  your  shirt,  look  at  this  !  Now,  you 

see,   the  d 1's  to  pay;    they  want  a  report  of  my  company, 

send  me  no  blanks  to  make  it  on  and  I  have  no  records  to  go  by. 
How  do  they  expect  a  fellow  is  going  to  fight  all  the  time  and 
report,  too?  I  suppose  when  one  gets  killed  he  is  expected  to 
send  back  an  official  report,  so  he  can  be  officially  killed." 
(Message  from  regimental  commander)  :  "The  colonel  says  he 
is  waiting  for  that  report  and  must  have  it  at  once."  "Well, 


THE    WILDERNESS.  0  * 

Sergeant,  get  your  roll  and  let's  see  what  we  can  do."  "  I  have 
no  roll,  sir,  —  that  was  with  Sergeant  Bowers  who  was  killed  in 
the  charge  last  evening."  "  Then  make  a  list  of  all  the  names 
present."  "1  have  that,  sir."  "Now  let's  see  who  were  killed 
yesterda}T  evening  —  who  in  the  fight  of  the  12th.  Now,  then, 
we  had  so  many  when  the  campaign  opened  and  we  have  lost  so 
many  —  so  many  killed,  and  so  many  wounded,  and  so  many  left. 
That  makes  it  as  near  as  I  can  get  at  it.  Now,  if  you  can  find  a 
piece  of  paper  somewhere,  I  will  put  it  down,  sign  it,  and  get  it  in 
at  once.  I  hope  this  will  satisfy  them,  and  w^ill  be  the  last 
report  I  will  ever  be  called  upon  to  make."  Alas,  it  was  with 
many  ! 

It  was  fortunate  if  the  paper  could  be  found,  often  a  paper 
collar  would  have  to  supply  the  deficiency.  These  reports  were 
consolidated  by  the  regimental  commander  and  forwarded,  thus, 
for  the  time  being,  relieving  his  anxiety. 

The  baggage  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  together  with  official 
records  and  retained  rolls,  were  shipped  from  White  House  Land 
ing  around  to  City  Point,  on  an  old  barge,  the  "  General  Mc- 
Clellau."  It  was  not  a  seaworthy  craft,  and  sank  before  reaching 
its  destination,  and  went  to  the  bottom  of  the  James  river. 
Everything  was  destroyed  that  could  be  of  service  in  making  out 
reports.  Under  such  circumstances,  it  is  a  credit  to  the  regiment 
that  any  were  made  out  at  all.  The  importance  of  such  matters 
was  not  valued  as  highly  then  as  now. 

These  lists  were  submitted  with  the  following  letter :  — 

HEADQUARTERS  FIFTY-SEVEXTH  MASSACHUSETTS, 

BEFORE  PETERSBURG,  VA.,  Feb.  G,  18G5. 
GENERAL : 

I  have  the  honor  to  forward  herewith  a  "  nominal  list  of  casualties  " 
of  this  command  for  the  year  ending  Dec.  31,  1864. 
I  am,  sir, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
To  J.  M.  TUCKER, 

WILLIAM  SCHOULER,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Commanding 

Adjutant- General,  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Infantry. 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 


68 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


The  "nominal"  lists  do  not  compare  accurately  with  the 
"  tabular  list  of  casualties  in  the  Fifty-Seventh"  in  the  adjutant- 
general's  report  (State  of  Massachusetts)  submitted  Dec.  31,  1864. 
The  latter  reports  1  officer  killed  and  7  wounded,  4(>  enlisted 
men  killed,  154  wounded  and  43  missing,  making  a  total  of 
251  officers  and  men  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  While 
the  former  gives  1  officer  killed,  7  wounded,  48  enlisted  men 
killed,  151  wounded  and  42  missing,  making  a  total  of  249 
killed,  wounded  and  missing, — a  discrepancy  of  two,  which  is 
accounted  for  by  the  two  following  names,  viz.  :  David  Parker, 
Private  Co.  I,  reported  killed  May  6th,  1864.  and  George 
Bukardy,  Private  Co.  C,  wounded  May  6th,  1864.  This  will 
make  the  numbers  correspond  with  the  adjutant-general's  report, 
but  making  49  enlisted  men  killed  and  152  wounded.  The 
foregoing  list  of  names  is  imperfect,  rendered  so  by  not  being 
able  to  find  some  on  the  rolls.  It  is  "nominally"  correct;  we 
have  no  means  of  making  it  accurately  so.  The  discrepancies  are 
accounted  for  by  later  reports,  which  place  many  of  those  formerly 
reported  "missing,"  as  "killed";  as  they  were  never  afterwards 
heard  from,  there  is  no  doubt  but  they  were  killed  :  2d  Lieut. 
James  M.  Childs  and  Sergt.  Samuel  Souther  are  two  such. 
Many  others  could  be  added,  as  will  be  observed  by  reading  the 
remarks  in  the  list  of  "  missing." 

Many  of  the  wounded  died  soon  after  the  battle,  and  many  of 
the  missing  died  in  Confederate  prisons.  Very  few  ever  returned 
to  duty  again. 

Whether  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  is  considered  a  victory 
or  defeat,  the  Fifty-Seventh  loyally  contributed  two  hundred  and 
fifty-two  officers  and  men  to  the  Union  cause. 

Looking  at  it  in  the  light  of  after  years,  we  incline  to  the 
opinion,  that  our  loss  might  have  been  less.  It  is  a  well  known 
fact,  as  experience  has  clearly  demonstrated,  that  men  under  fire 
for  the  first  time,  as  many  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  were,  expose 
themselves  more  than  necessary,  and  despise  any  shelter  that 
might  afford  temporary  protection.  Their  idea  was  to  stand 
squarely  up  in  line  and  "  face  the  music."  After  a  few  experi 
ences  like  the  Wilderness,  men  do  not  feel  it  a  disgrace  to  take 


THE    WILDERNESS, 


69 


advantage  of  anything  that  will  protect  them  from  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  providing  this  can  be  done  by  keeping  in  their  proper 
place  in  the  ranks.  The  Science  of  War,  as  taught  at  the  present 
day  in  the  regular  army,  specially  prescribes  that  in  moving  to 
the  attack,  advantage  shall  be  taken  of  all  obstacles  and  inequali 
ties  of  ground  until  the  final  rush  is  made  upon  the  enemy,  and 
men  are  drilled  to  carefully  observe  it.  By  experience  men  also 
become  better  acquainted  with  each  other  and  comrades  know 
whom  to  rely  upon  when  the  shock  of  battle  comes.  They  know 
who  will  stand  and  are  much  less  liable  to  be  thrown  into  a  con 
dition  of  panic,  which  so  often  proved  disastrous  and  came  near 
doing  so  in  this  case. 

Chaplain  Dashiell,  who  was  upon  the  field,  writes  about  it  as 
follows:  "I  well  remember  the  rout,  as  the  men  streamed  by 
in  panic,  some  of  them  breaking  their  guns  to  render  them  useless 
in  the  hands  of  the  rebels.  Nothing  could  stop  them  until  they  came 
to  the  cross  roads  where  a  piece  of  artillery  was  planted,  when  they 
rallied  behind  it.'  Colonel  Leasure,  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania, 
began  to  place  them  in  line.  Before  long  the  rebel  yell  was  heard 
and  the  colonel  on  the  gun  cried,  '  Advance,  first  line  !  '  when  a 
voile}7  succeeding  the  discharge  of  the  artillery  made  the  rebels 
4  skedaddle  '  in  turn."  As  the  Stretcher  Corps  of  the  division 
had  not  yet  been  organized,  the  chaplain,  with  the  band  and  drum 
corps,  followed  up  the  line  of  battle  to  minister  to  the  wounded 
and  to  remove  such  as  they  could  to  a  place  of  safety.  Colonel 
Bartlett  went  into  the  fight  on  foot  and  was  soon  brought  out  by 
several  of  the  men,  with  the  blood  streaming  from  his  forehead 
and  utterly  exhausted. 

Although  Company  K  was  temporarily  on  detached  duty  with 
the  baggage  train,  yet  eleven  of  the  company  were  in  the  engage 
ment.  Of  that  number  three  were  killed,  one  wounded  and  one 
missing. 

The  few  batteries  that  succeeded  in  getting  into  position 
rendered  excellent  service,  but  it  was  only  at  short  range  and 
with  grape  and  canister  to  repel  charges. 


CHAPTER    V. 


SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT   HOUSE. 

'OST  of  the  day  of  the  7th  of  May,  immediately  follow 
ing  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  was  spent  by  both 
armies  keeping  up  a  light  musketry  fire,  removing  such 
wounded  as  could  be  reached,  gathering  in  stragglers 
and  those  that  had  been  separated  from  their  com 
mands  in  the  confusion  of  the  day  before,  and  making 
preparations  for  a  renewal  of  the  conflict.  Where  the 
blow  was  to  fall  next  no  one  could  conjecture,  but  all  knew  that 
the  struggle  was  to  be  continued  somewhere.  Although  the 
Federal  commander  had  been  checkmated  in  the  execution  of  his 
plans  for  the  flanking  movement,  yet  he  had  not  abandoned 
them,  and  determined  to  again  move  by  his  left  flank  and  make 
another  effort  to  reach  the  Confederate  right  and  rear  at  Spottsyl- 
vania  Court  House.  It  was  a  great  undertaking  to  withdraw  such 
a  vast  army  from  a  place  so  difficult  for  manceuvering ;  especially 
before  such  a  commander  as  General  Lee,  who  was  always  watch 
ful  of  the  movements  of  his  adversary.  He  divined  the  plans  of 
General  Grant  to  move  again  upon  his  right  flank,  and  clearly 
foresaw  that  the  key  to  the  situation  was  to  be  found  in  the  pos 
session  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House.  This,  on  account  of  the 
roads  that  radiated  from  there  in  all  directions,  more  than  any 
special  advantage  arising  from  the  natural  position  of  the  place. 
There  were,  in  fact,  two  plans  open  for  him  :  one  to  await  in  his 
position  in  the  Wilderness  until  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  should 
commence  its  movement,  then  fall  upon  its  rear,  defeat  it,  if 
possible,  cut  off  its  communication  with  Washington  and  even 
threaten  the  city  itself ;  but  in  this  case  he  would  cut  loose  from 


72 


FIFTY-SEVENTH  IIKGIMKNT  MASS.  VOLUNTEERS. 


his  own  communications  with  Richmond,  and  the  two  armies 
would  virtually  be  changing  position  with  each  other.  This 
seemed  too  hazardous  an  undertaking.  In  this  event,  the  Federal 
commander,  if  not  defeated  in  battle,  could  easily  have  made  good 
his  communications  with  General  Butler  at  Bermuda  Hundred 
and,  as  he  subsequently  did,  establish  his  base  of  supplies  there ; 
besides,  whenever  the  Confederate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  had 
cut  loose  from  its  base  to  move  north  of  the  Potomac,  as  at 
Antietam  and  Gettysburg,  it  had  met  with  disaster. 

It  must,  even  at  that  time,  have  appeared  to  General  Lee 
that  the  resources  of  the  South  were  nearly  exhausted,  and  that 
by  a  constant  attrition  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia  would  soon  become  worn  out.  A  man  like 
Napoleon  the  First,  who  always  stood  ready  to  stake  his  all  to  either 
win  or  lose  all,  would  probably  have  chosen  this  course,  but 
General  Lee,  with  all  his  courage  and  skill  as  a  commander,  was 
also  cautious.  By  prolonging  the  war,  even  by  constant  fighting, 
there  was  a  strong  and  ever-abiding  hope  that  either  France  or  Great 
Britain  would  interfere  in  behalf  of  the  Confederacy.  The  safest 
plan  to  him,  therefore,  seemed  to  be  to  fall  back  to  Spottsylvania 
Court  House  and  make  himself  strong  there,  behind  earthworks, 
and  await  the  arrival  of  his  adversary.  This  he  decided  to  do 
when  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  commenced  the  movement  out  of 
the  Wilderness  to  gain  Spottsylvania  Court  House.  The  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia  commenced  to  move  toward  the  same  point, 
reaching  it  first  and  throwing  up  strong  defensive  works  at  once. 

In  pursuance  of  General  Grant's  original  plan,  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  was  quietly  withdrawn  after  dark  of  the  7th,  leaving 
the  unburied  dead  in  their  silent  sleep,  tenting  in  the  gloomy 
jungles  and  dark  hollows  of  this  horrible  Golgotha,  their  mortal 
remains  to  become  food  for  vultures ;  both  the  blue  and  the  gray 
resting  side  by  side  in  an  eternal  peace,  death  leaving  further 
strife  for  those  who  had  been  spared,  while  they  were  at  rest. 

It  seemed  good  to  get  out  from  under  that  dark  shadow  of 
stifling  powder  smoke  into  the  fresh  air  and  God's  pure  sunlight. 
The  two  long  days  of  darkness  and  horrors  through  which  we  had 
passed  seemed  a  lifetime. 


SrOTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE.  73 

By  morning  of  the  8th  the  entire  Army  of  the  Potomac  was 
well  out  of  the  Wilderness  and  once  more  on  the  march.  The 
Fifty-Seventh,  now  under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Chandler,  passed  through  the  scene  of  the  bloody  battle  of  Chau- 
cellorsville,  which  had  been  fought  in  May,  1863.  The  regiment 
was  halted  here  for  some  little  time,  waiting  for  the  wagon  trains 
to  pass.  While  resting  upon  this  historic  battlefield  the  long  train 
of  ambulances  and  wagons  passed,  bearing  the  wounded  from  the 
Wilderness  to  Fredericksburg,  en  route  to  hospitals  at  Washington 
and  further  north. 

The  roads  had  been  badly  cut  by  the  numerous  trains  of 
heavy  wagons  that  had  previously  passed  over  them.  The  wounds 
were  now  two  days  old  and  far  more  sore  and  painful  than  when 
first  received ;  every  motion,  every  jolting  turn  of  the  wheel,  sent 
pain  through  the  mutilated  forms.  It  does  seem  at  such  a  time  as 
if  the  wheels  would  never  miss  a  stone,  stump  or  other  object  to 
increase  the  bodily  anguish  and  discomforts  of  such  a  ride.  No 
pen  can  portray  the  patient  sufferings  of  those  self-sacrificing  men. 
Such  wounds  as  had  received  attention  were  only  hastily  dressed, 
while  others  were  waiting  attention.  The  heat  of  the  scorching 
mid-day  sun  added  increased  suffering  from  the  fevered  wounds. 
Details  were  made  from  each  company  to  administer  such  comfort 
or  relief  as  could  be  devised,  but  the  facilities  to  do  with  were 
few.  Water  was  brought  in  canteens  for  them  to  drink  and  to  cool 
their  burning  wounds.  Those  who  had  undergarments,  that  they 
were  not  wearing  at  the  time,  cheerfully  contributed  them  for 
bandages,  and  all  that  could  be  was  done  to  alleviate  their 
sufferings.  Many  were  shockingly  mangled  and  many  died  on 
the  way.  Their  condition  in  no  way  reflected  upon  the  medical 
corps  of  the  army.  The  surgeons  were  men  of  skill  and  experi 
ence  who  worked  night  and  day  in  the  faithful  performance  of 
their  duty,  and  were  more  tender  in  their  care  than  those  surgeons 
who  never  heard  the  sound  of  battle.  The  work  of  caring  properly 
for  such  a  large  number  of  wounded  was  more  than  they  could 
properly  attend  to  upon  the  battlefield. 

The  Fifty- Seventh  wras  very  fortunate  in  having  the  services 
of  Dr.  Whitman  V.  White,  surgeon  of  the  regiment,  a  man  who 


<4  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

combined  surgical  skill  with  a  kind,  sympathetic  heart.  More 
than  one  who  survived  felt  indebted  to  him  for  their  lives.  He 
was  indefatigable  in  his  labors.  The  surrounding  scenes  were 
anything  but  cheerful ;  ghastly  skulls  were  scattered  over  the 
ground  which  seemed  to  speak,  through  the  sunken,  eyeless  sockets, 
of  the  vain  glories  of  war.  There  were  shallow  pits,  or  trenches, 
in  which  the  greater  number  of  those  who  had  been  killed  in  that 
terrible  battle  had  been  thrown,  and  a  little  covering  of  earth 
hastily  thrown  over  them,  which  had  been  partly  washed  away  by 
the  snows  and  rains  of  the  previous  winter.  Their  whitened 
skeletons,  partly  covered  by  faded  and  tattered  uniforms,  were 
seen  protruding  above  the  ground,  mixed  and  intermingled  in  all 
conceivable  shapes.  It  was  a  picture  far  different  from  the  one 
presented  when  proudly  marching  to  the  evening  parade  under  the 
inspiration  of  martial  music.  Such  sights  and  scenes  must  soon 
be  forgotten  in  the  great  game  of  war,  as  one  after  another  they 
pass  in  quick  succession.  The  man  in  the  ranks  must  try  and 
forget  and  march  blindly  on  to  face  new  dangers  and  even  death 
on  other  fields,  until  the  fatal  bullet  finds  him  also,  for,  after  all, 
what  is  he  but  a  small  pawn  upon  the  board,  although  he  values 
his  life  just  as  dearly  as  those  in  high  command,  who  stand  upon 
the  pinnacle  of  fame,  while  their  names  are  traced  in  song  and 
story  through  ages  to  come,  and  monuments  of  costly  beauty  are 
erected  in  testimony  of  their  bravery  and  glorious  deeds.  He,  too, 
has  friends  in  some  distant  home,  may  be  a  fond  mother  who 
loves  him  just  as  tenderly,  prays  for  him  just  as  fervently  and 
longs  just  as  anxiously  for  the  return  of  her  noble  boy  as  though 
he  were  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  army.  It  takes  more 
courage,  more  patriotism  and  greater  sacrifices  to  make  a  good 
private  soldier  than  it  does  to  make  a  brigadier-general,  and  theirs 
is  the  greater  honor.  Generals  cannot  win  battles  without  the  aid 
of  private  soldiers. 

Both  armies  were  now  moving  on  nearly  parallel  roads  towards 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  the  distance  being  about  the  same  by 
either, —  the  Confederates  marching  by  their  right  flank,  and  the 
Federals  by  their  left.  The  Confederate  General  Longstreet 
having  been  wounded  in  the  Wilderness,  his  corps  was  com- 


SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE.  75 

manded  by  General  Anderson,  who  led  the  advance,  preceded  by 
Stuart's  cavalry.  On  account  of  the  fire  in  the  woods  he  was 
unable  to  bivouac  and  therefore  pushed  directly  through  to  the 
Court  House  and  at  once  began  throwing  up  breastworks.  Gen 
eral  Warren  commanding  the  Fifth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  led  the  Federal  left,  but  his  march  was  obstructed  by 
fallen  trees  and  Confederate  cavalry,  so  by  the  time  he  reached 
the  vicinity  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Sunday  morning,  May 
8th,  he  ran  up  against  strong  Confederate  earthworks,  constructed 
in  a  commanding  position  on  a  wooded  ridge  just  to  the  east  and 
north  of  the  court  house.  The  second  division  of  the  Fifth 
Corps,  commanded  by  Gen.  John  C.  Robinson,  advanced  to  the 
attack,  but  wras  met  by  a  heavy  cannonade  and  a  sweeping  fire 
of  musketry,  which  drove  it  back  in  confusion,  and  at  one  time 
threatened  serious  disaster,  had  it  not  been  for  the  presence  of 
General  Warren,  who  held  the  men  in  check  until  they  could  be 
rallied.  General  Griffin's  division  met  with  a  somewhat  similar 
experience,  but  upon  the  arrival  of  the  other  two  divisions,  under 
Generals  Crawford  and  Cutler,  the  Confederates  were  driven 
back.  Finding  that  he  wras  not  strong  enough  to  make  another 
attack,  as  the  Confederate  troops  were  fast  arriving  from  the 
Wilderness  and  intrenching,  General  Warren  also  commenced  to 
intrench.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  under  General 
Sedgwick,  which  was  late  in  the  day,  the  latter  took  command 
and  made  another  attack  upon  the  Confederate  works,  which  like 
wise  proved  unsuccessful.  By  this  time  nearly  all  of  the  Confed 
erate  army  had  arrived  and  taken  up  a  strong  position.  The 
Second  and  Ninth  Corps,  under  Generals  Hancock  and  Burnside, 
had  been  left  back  near  the  Wilderness  to  guard  against  any 
possible  attack  in  rear",  but  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  General 
Hancock  arrived  and  took  position  on  the  right  of  the  line,  on 
high  ground  overlooking  the  river  Po,  which  is  a  stream  too  deep 
for  fording  and  about  fifty  feet  wide.  The  Ninth  Corps  came  up, 
and  moved  towards  the  left  of  the  line,'  advanced  by  the  Freder- 
icksburg  road  directly  in  front  and  east  of  the  Court  House, 
driving  the  Confederate  line  back  across  the  river  Ny,  a  small 
stream  with  heavily  wooded  banks,  of  no  great  consequence. 


70 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


The  Federal  line,  as  thus  established,  from  right  to  left,  ran  as 
follows  :  By  Corps,  Second,  Fifth,  Sixth  and  Ninth,  the  latter 
being  on  the  extreme  left. 

The  Confederate  army  was  posted  from  left  to  right  in  the 
following  order:  Long-street's  corps  (now  Anderson's),  Ewell 
and  Hill,  their  line  facing  in  a  general  direction  north  and  east, 
following  high  ridges  and  heavy  wood.  In  order  to  obtain  all 
the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  the  natural  conformation  of 
the  ground,  it  had  to  be  posted,  first  running  from  the  river  Po 
northeast,  then  east,  then  almost  due  north,  forming  an  angle 
with  the  apex  pointing  a  little  east  of  north,  then  inclining  to  the 
southeast  and  finally  almost  due  south,  the  two  wings  of  this 
army  being  thrown  well  back,  while  the  angle  extended  to  the 
north  about  half  a  mile  and  seemed  to  flaunt  a  saucy  defiance  in 
the  face  of  the  Federals.  It  was  thus  occupied  on  account  of  the 
high  and  commanding  ground  for  the  position  of  batteries  and 
was  said  to  be  the  key  to  the  whole  position.  E well's  Corps 
formed  a  line  from  the  west  face  of  this  angle  around  the  apex 
and  part  of  the  east  face.  A  division  under  General  Gordon  was 
held  in  reserve  and  occupied  an  intrenched  line  across  the  base  of 
the  angle,  from  the  east  to  the  west  face.  This  was  the  interior 
line  which  added  strength  to  the  naturally  strong  position.  All 
advantageous  points  were  secured  and  held  by  the  Confederates. 
This  angle  afterwards  became  known  as  the  "  bloody  angle."  It 
seemed  to  challenge  attack,  and  the  challenge  was  accepted.  The 
ground  in  front  of  the  Confederate  works  was  heavily  wooded  on 
their  right,  while  the  two  faces  of  the  angle  were  mostly  open  in 
front  and  on  the  west,  and  open  on  their  extreme  left,  which 
rested  on  the  Po. 

The  reader  must  constantly  bear  in  mind  that,  as  the  two 
armies  faced  each  other,  what  was  the  Confederate  left  was  the 
Federal  right  and  vice  versa. 

The  9th  of  May  was  mostly  passed  in  heavy  skirmishing, 
getting  artillery  into  position  and  readjusting  the  lines.  General 
Sedgwick,  commanding  the  Sixth  Corps,  was  killed  by  a  Confed 
erate  sharpshooter  in  the  morning  while  inspecting  his  line  of 
intrenchmeuts.  In  his  death  the  Sixth  Corps  sustained  a  heavy 


SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE.  77 

loss.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  ablest  corps  commanders  in 
the  service.  He  possessed  the  confidence  of  his  men  who  loved 
him  and  swore  by  him.  He  seemed  to  have  a  feeling  of  sym 
pathy  for  them,  spared  them  unnecessary  hardships  and  always 
shared  their  dangers.  A  man  of  undaunted  courage  and  sound 
judgment.  He  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  by  General  Wright.  The  division  to  which  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  belonged  (Stevenson's)  did  not  come  up  until  nearly 
noon,  when  they  were  thrown  across  to  the  south  bank  of  the  river 
Ny.  The  Confederate  sharpshooters  were  active  throughout  the 
day  and  were  of  great  annoyance  to  the  Federals  in  securing  posi 
tion.  They  were  also  busy  strengthening  their  intrenched  posi 
tion,  slashing  timber  in  front  of  their  works  on  the  right,  and 
rendering  them  more  secure  by  constructing  abatis. 

On  the  10th  the  Confederates  extended  their  left  to  the  west 
bank  of  the  river  Po,  in  order  to  cover  the  Shady  Grove  road, 
and  their  right  to  the  river  Po  at  Snell's  bridge  below  the  Court 
House,  the  river  at  this  point  running  nearly  east  and  west,  but 
where  the  left  of  their  line  rested  it  ran  very  nearly  north  and 
south. 

The  Confederate  works  had  been  constructed  with  great 
engineering  skill,  and  artillery  placed  in  such  a  position  that  all 
approaches  to  them  could  be  immediately  brought  under  a  front 
and  flank  fire. 

General  Johnson's  division  of  Ewell's  Corps  held  the  ad 
vanced  position  in  the  angle  referred  to ;  the  eastern  face,  as 
before  stated,  being  heavily  wooded,  but  more  open  on  the 
west. 

General  Humphreys,  Chief  of  Staff,  at  that  time,  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  says:  "Late  at  night  (9th  May)  orders 
were  issued  from  the  headquarters  of  the  '  Army  of  the  Potomac  ' 
for  the  operations  of  the  next  day.  General  Hancock  was  to 
endeavor  to  ascertain  the  position  and  force  of  the  enemy  in  his 
front  and  the  location  of  his  left  flank,  and  hold  his  corps  ready 
to  advance  against  the  enemy ;  the  Sixth  Corps  to  feel  in  like 
manner  for  the  enemy's  intrenchmeuts  in  his  front,  General  Mott 
to  hold  his  division  read}7  to  move  to  General  Burnside  upon  hear- 


/O  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

ing  heavy  firing  in  that  direction."  In  compliance  with  this 
order,  General  Hancock  made  a  demonstration  upon  the  enemy's 
left  early  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  with  the  intention  of 
forcing  a  passage  across  the  Po  and  attacking  there,  but  the 
enemy  was  found  too  strong  for  such  an  undertaking,  and  later  in 
the  day  General  Meade  ordered  General  Hancock  to  transfer  all 
but  one  division  of  his  corps  to  the  position  held  by  General  War 
ren  for  assaulting  the- enemy's  position  there;  the  remaining 
division  to  keep  up  a  threatening  attitude  toward  the  Confederate 
left.  The  Third  and  Fourth  Divisions  of  the  Fifth  Corps  had 
charged  the  works  there,  but  had  been  repulsed.  With  the 
arrival  of  the  Second  Corps  the  attack  was  renewed.  Two  gal 
lant  and  desperate  charges  were  made.  The  Federals  struggled  on 
in  the  face  of  a  perfect  tempest  of  lead  and  iron,  sustaining  both 
a  front  and  flank  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery,  in  some  places 
gaining  the  enemy's  wrorks,  where  a  hand-to-hand  fight  took  place 
with  clubbed  muskets.  The  Federals  were  repulsed  in  both  at 
tacks  with  fearful  loss. 

Later  in  the  day  two  brigades  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  under  com 
mand  of  the  brave  General  (then  Colonel)  Emory  Upton,  an 
officer  of  the  regular  army,  moved  forward  under  a  heavy  artil 
lery  fire  in  another  attack.  This  was  directed  upon  the  west  face 
of  the  angle  heretofore  referred  to.  The  charging  column  was 
formed  in  four  lines  and  at  a  given  signal  rushed  forward  in  face 
of  a  withering  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery,  breaking  through 
the  abatis,  planting  their  colors  upon  the  enemy's  works,  captur 
ing  nearly  a  thousand  prisoners  and  several  stands  of  colors. 
Desperate  efforts  were  made  by  the  enemy  to  retake  this  position. 
It  was  held  by  incessant  fighting  until  after  dark,  when  General 
Upton,  from  lack  of  support,  was  obliged  to  retire,  bringing  the 
prisoners  out  with  him,  and  the  place  was  again  occupied  by  the 
Confederates.  General  Mott's  division  of  the  Second  Corps, 
which  was  to  have  supported  the  gallant  Upton,  was  at  too  great 
a  distance  to  reach  the  scene  of  action  in  time,  hence  the  position 
had  to  be  abandoned.  If  there  is  any  one  thing  that  is  thoroughly 
disheartening  to  a  soldier,  it  is  to  see  works,  that  have  been  car 
ried  at  such  a  sacrifice  of  life,  abandoned  just  because  they  do  not 


SFOTTSYLVAXIA    COURT    HOUSE. 


79 


receive  the  proper  support  when  most  needed,  and  they  see  the 
advantages  gained  thrown  away  because  certain  important  condi 
tions,  necessary  to  securing  the  fruits  of  their  dearly  bought  vic 
tory,  had  not  been  properly  provided  for.  Not  understanding  the 
complicated  movements  of  the  various  organizations,  composing  a 
large  command,  they  naturally  think  that  they  have  been  forgotten 
or  neglected. 

On  the  10th  a  reconnoissance  was  made  upon  the  Court 
House  by  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  to  which  the 
Fifty-Seventh  belonged,  under  command  of  Brig. -Gen.  Thomas 
G.  Stevenson,  who  was  killed  in  the  action.  General  Stevenson 
was  a  young  man  from  Boston,  who  entered  the  service  at  the  age 
of  twenty-five,  as  colonel  of  the  24th  Massachusetts,  and  was  made 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers  Dec.  26th,  1862.  He  was  esteemed 
very  highly  by  all  who  knew  him  as  possessing  those  brave  and 
sterling  qualities  which  can  be  relied  upon  in  the  performance  of 
duty.  He  was  regarded  very  highly  by  the  Corps  Commander, 
General  Burnside,  who  spoke  of  him,  saying:  "Upon  all  occa 
sions  he  proved  himself  a  brave  and  efficient  soldier." 

The  reconnoissance  was  pushed  close  up  to  the  enemy's 
works  on  the  Fredericksburg  road  and  a  position  taken  there  and 
intrenched.  In  that  affair  we  were  in  command  of  the  regimental 
skirmish  line  of  the  Fifty-Seventh.  It  was  advanced  across  a 
descending  opening  in  front  of  a  piece  of  heavy  wood  in  full  view 
of  the  Confederate  works,  to  an  old  fence,  at  the  foot  of  which 
there  were  strips  of  wild  hedgerows,  small  brush  and  briars,  the 
Confederate  skirmish  line  falling  back  and  keeping  up  a  constant 
fire  as  our  line  advanced.  From  the  position  we  finally  gained  a 
good  view  could  be  had  of  the  enemy's  works  upon  an  open  ridge 
of  hills  beyond.  General  Stevenson  was  present  and  directed  the 
movement  in  person,  fearless  of  all  danger. 

General  Humphreys  in  "  The  Virginia  Campaign  of  1864  and 
'65,"  says:  "  On  the  llth  (May)  the  Ninth  Corps  was  ordered  to 
withdraw  to  the  north  side  of  the  Ny,  take  up  a  position  with  its 
left  on  the  main  road  (Fredericksburg)  near  the  Harris  House,  its 
right  connecting  with  Mott's  division  near  the  Brown  House,  but 
before  the  order  could  be  carried  out,  General  Burnside  was  or- 


80 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


dered  to  recross  the  Ny  and  reoccupy  his  position  near  the  Court 
House,  which  was  done  without  any  serious  opposition.  Corps 
commanders  were  directed  to  ascertain  the  least  force  sufficient 
to  hold  their  positions  securely,  and  the  number  of  troops  that 
would  be  available  for  offensive  movements,  and  what  additional 
works,  if  any,  were  necessary  to  reduce  the  holding1  force  to  a 
minimum.  They  were  also  directed  to  keep  their  skirmishers 
pressed  well  up  against  the  enemy,  and  ascertain  wrhat  changes, 
if  any,  had  been  made  by  them  in  their  works  or  troops.  The 
object  of  these  instructions  was  to  ascertain  where  a  concentrated 
attack  could  best  be  made." 

The  day  of  May  llth  was  mostly  spent  in  preparation  for  a 
renewal  of  the  battle.  Reconnoiterings  and  skirmishes  were  con 
tinued,  but  no  general  engagement  took  place.  The  enemy  seemed 
to  anticipate  each  move,  and  always  with  a  force  to  meet  it. 
Their  army  was  certainly  handled  with  admirable  skill. 

In  the  afternoon  (llth)  General  Grant  sent  the  following- 
despatch  to  General  Meade,  dated  3  P.M.  :  "  Move  three  divisions 
of  the  Second  Corps  by  rear  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps,  under 
cover  of  night,  so  as  to  join  the  Ninth  Corps  in  a  vigorous  assault 
on  the  enemy  at  four  o'clock  A.M.  tomorrow.  I  will  send  one  or 
two  staff  officers  over  tonight  to  stay  with  Burnside  and  impress 
him  with  the  importance  of  a  prompt  and  vigorous  attack.  War 
ren  and  Wright  should  hold  their  corps  as  close  to  the  enemy  as 
possible  to  take  advantage  of  any  diversion  caused  by  Uiis  attack, 
and  to  break  in  if  the  opportunity  presents  itself.  There  is  but 
little  doubt,  in  my  mind,  that  the  assault  last  evening  would  have 
proved  entirely  successful  if  it  had  commenced  at  an  earlier  hour 
and  had  been  heartily  entered  into  by  Mott's  division  and  the 
Ninth  Corps." 

The  assault  here  referred  to  was  that  made  by  the  two 
brigades  under  General  Upton. 

The  afternoon  of  the  llth  was  rainy,  which  continued  through 
the  night.  The  Fifty-Seventh  rested  upon  their  arms  without 
shelter  of  any  kind,  the  ground  was  wet  and  the  men's  clothing 
also,  with  no  opportunity  of  getting  dry ;  sleep  was  impossible, 
not  even  the  luxury  of  two  rails  to  rest  upon  could  be  found, 


ALFRED    O.    HITCHCOCK, 

Capt.  57th  Mass.,  Bvt.  Maj.  U.S.  Vols. 


SPOTTSYLVAXIA    COURT    HOUSE. 


81 


so  the  men  had  to  either  remain  standing  or  lie  upon  the  wet 
ground. 

The  position  of  the  Brown  House  had  been  selected  as  the 
base  from  which  the  assault  was  to  be  made,  and  it  was  to  be 
directed  upon  the  apex  of  the  salient  angle  ("  bloody  angle  "). 
The  McCool  House,  which  was  just  inside  the  Confederate  works, 
was  taken  as  a  guide  to  advance  by.  There  was  a  strip  of  open 
ground  between  this  point  and  the  Brown  House.  All  this  ground 
had  been  carefully  examined  by  the  different  corps  commanders 
and  a  conference  had  writh  General  Meade  in  regard  to  details. 
General  Hancock  was  directed  to  move  three  divisions  of  his 
corps  at  dark  (May  llth),  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Brown  House,  and 
charge  the  Confederate  lines  at  four  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
while  General  Warren  (Fifth  Corps)  was  ordered  to  hold  the 
position  vacated  by  General  Hancock  (Second  Corps).  General 
Wright  (Sixth  Corps)  was  ordered  to  hold  two  of  his  divisions  in 
readiness  to  move  wherever  their  services  might  be  required. 
General  Burnside  (Ninth  Corps)  was  ordered  to  support  Hancock 
and  attack  on  east  face  of  the  angle.  It  was  after  midnight 
before  the  troops  were  in  position.  In  consequence  of  the  thick 
fog  early  in  the  morning,  General  Hancock  was  not  able  to  make 
the  assault  until  about  4.30,  when  he  made  one  of  the  most 
gallant  charges  of  the  whole  war.  The  men  moved  forward  in 
compact  masses  through  the  abatis,  sweeping  over  the  enemy's 
works  like  a  tornado,  capturing  General  Johnson  with  nearly  the 
whole  of  his  division,  about  three  thousand  prisoners,  over  twenty 
pieces  of  artillery  and  several  stands  of  colors.  The  Confederates 
fought  desperately  and  for  a  time  it  was  a  hand-to-hand  combat. 
Most  of  the  Confederates  killed  were  with  the  bayonet.  It  has 
been  said  that  this  charge  was  a  surprise,  but  the  Confederate 
General  Johnson,  who  held  the  wrorks  where  the  charge  was 
made,  says  that  it  was  not  a  surprise,  but  that  the  massing 
of  the  Federal  troops,  preparatory  to  the  charge,  was  observed 
by  him. 

The  charging  column  pushed  on  for  some  distance  until 
checked  by  an  interior  line,  held  by  Gordon's  division,  which  was 
too  strong  to  be  carried. 


82 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


The  works  thus  captured  by  the  Second  Corps  were  held, 
and  the  Sixth  Corps  sent  to  the  support  of  the  Second. 

The  Confederates  concentrated  all  their  available  force  and 
made  repeated  and  determined  charges  to  recapture  them,  but 
each  resulted  in  failure ;  and  thus  the  fighting  continued  with 
unabated  fury  until  long  into  the  night,  in  the  midst  of  a  drench 
ing  rain.  The  Ninth  Corps,  General  Burnside,  held  the  left  of 
the  line  and  operated  upon  the  east  face  of  the  salient,  with  the 
Second  Division  (Potter's)  on  the  right,  the  First  (Stevenson's) 
in  the  centre  and  the  Third  (Wilcox's)  on  the  extreme  left.  The 
First  Division  was  temporarily  commanded  by  Colonel  Leasure 
after  the  death  of  General  Stevenson. 

The  Second  Division  gallantly  charged  the  enemy's  in 
trenched  line  early  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  capturing  a 
number  of  prisoners  and  two  cannon ;  but  in  consequence  of  a 
severe  enfilading  fire  which  was  brought  to  bear  upon  them  from 
another  strongly  intrenched  position  held  by  the  enemy,  they  were 
unable  to  hold  the  captured  intrenchments  and  were  subsequently 
driven  out  with  the  loss  of  the  two  captured  cannon.  The  other 
two  divisions  made  repeated  attacks,  but  were  unable  to  carry 
the  main  line  of  the  enemy's  works.  Finally,  after  desperate 
fighting,  the  Second  Division  succeeded  in  making  connection 
with  Hancock's  Corps  on  their  right,  thereby  closing  a  dangerous 
gap  between  the  left  of  the  Second  and  right  of  the  Ninth 
Corps. 

General  Wilcox's  (Third)  Division  made  a  gallant  charge 
upon  the  left,  getting  close  up  to  the  enemy's  works,  but  met 
with  a  murderous  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  and  was  eventually 
driven  back  with  heavy  loss.  This  charge,  though  unsuccessful 
in  breaking  the  enemy's  line,  had  the  effect  of  checking  a  move 
ment  which  he  was  making  to  attack  the  Federal  left  flank. 

The  Ninth  Corps  continued  the  attacks  along  their  front 
during  the  day  and  succeeded  in  holding  an  advanced  position 
close  to  the  enemy  and  throwing  up  intrenchments,  which  largely 
contributed  towards  rendering  the  Confederate  position  untenable. 
The  vantage  ground  gained  was  at  a  severe  loss.  General 
Burnside  reported  it  as  2.454  killed  and  wounded  and  590 


SPOTTSYLYANIA    COURT    HOUSE. 


83 


missing,  between  the  8th  and  12th,  one-half  of  which  he  says  was 
on  the  12th. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  lost  on  the  12th,  3  officers 
wounded,  13  enlisted  men  killed,  52  wounded  and  4  missing, 
making  an  aggregate  loss  of  72,  which  stands  in  evidence  that 
our  regiment  was  also  "  fighting  it  out  on  that  line  "  with  a  deter 
mination  of  remaining  "  all  summer"  if  necessary. 

The  engagement  was  during  a  heavy  rain. 

It  is  not  our  purpose  to  follow  the  different  movements  of  the 
several  army  corps  and  divisions  of  the  army  in  all  their  details. 
We  would  be  glad  to  tell  the  story  of  other  organizations  than 
the  Fifty-Seventh,  whose  gallant  charges  have  been  written  in 
history  much  better  than  we  can  do  it  here  ;  of  personal  heroism 
which  led  men  to  face  death  in  defense  of  our  country,  and  wre 
would  love  to  portray  to  the  reader  the  grandly  sublime,  as  well 
as  the  terribly  shocking,  scenes  of  the  battlefield,  which  held  the 
fate  of  so  many  thousands  trembling  in  the  balance  between  life 
and  death,  but  the  glory  of  one,  and  the  dark  shadows  of  the  other, 
can  never  be  presented  in  their  true  colors  to  those  who  have  never 
seen  and  faced  the  reality. 

The  Ninth  Corps  was  acting  in  concert  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  although  at  that  time  not  a  part  of  it,  and  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts  belonging  to  the  Ninth  Corps,  it  is  diffi 
cult  to  describe  the  operations  of  the  regiment  without  briefly 
describing  those  of  the  whole  army.  It  would  be  like  losing  the 
touch  of  elbow  when  marching  in  line ;  hence,  a  brief  mention  has 
been  made  of  matters  of  general  interest  with  which  the  regiment 
wras  associated.  The  story  of  one  has  been  written  and  rewritten, 
while  that  of  the  other  lives  only  in  memory  which  time  is  fast 
defacing.  The  total  loss  for  this  one  day  (12th  May)  was  :  killed 
and  wounded,  6,020  ;  missing,  800  —  total,  6,820. 

The  Confederate  loss  is  estimated  at  between  nine  thousand 
and  ten  thousand  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Their  loss  was 
considerably  greater  in  prisoners  than  that  of  the  Federals.  The 
advantage  can  therefore  be  claimed  by  the  Federal  side,  which  had 
not  only  gained  ground,  pushing  the  Confederate  army  back,  but 
capturing  and  holding  the  strongest  position  in  their  line. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

After  repeated  assaults  to  regain  their  works  in  the  angle, 
each  attempt  resulting  in  bloody  failure,  General  Lee  finally  with 
drew  his  army  to  an  interior  and  shorter  line  of  intrenchments, 
which  were  made  too  strong  for  direct  assault. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  loss  sustained  by  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  yet  the  progress  that  had  been  made,  and  the  present 
situation,  gave  bright  hopes  to  sustain  future  operations.  There 
seemed  to  be  a  feeling  of  greater  confidence  in  the  ranks  than 
when  the  army  emerged  from  the  Wilderness. 

The  commanding  general  (Meade)  issued  a  congratulatory 
order  to  the  army,  recounting  the  events  of  the  preceding  eight 
days  since  the  beginning  of  the  campaign:  "Eight  days  and 
nights  almost  without  intermission  against  a  foe  in  positions 
naturally  strong  and  rendered  doubly  so  by  intrenchments," 
telling  them  that  the  work  was  not  yet  over.  "We  shall  soon 
receive  reinforcements  which  the  foe  cannot  expect.  Let  us 
determine  to  continue  vigorously  the  work  so  well  begun ;  and, 
under  God's  blessing,  in  a  short  time  the  object  of  our  labors  will 
be  accomplished."  The  fruition  of  this  accomplishment  was  not, 
however,  as  near  as  one  might  be  led  to  expect. 

A  few  incidents  connected  with  the  Fifty- Seventh  are  worthy 
of  special  mention.  During  the  severe  struggle  of  the  12th,  at  the 
angle,  the  regiment  had  been  advancing  through  the  thick  brush 
and  drenching  rain,  driving  the  "Johnnies"  back,  when  a  halt 
was  made  very  near  their  line  and  the  men  ordered  to  lie  down 
and  continue  the  firing.  There  was  a  heavy  musketry  fire  from 
both  sides.  The  enemy  was  endeavoring  to  form  line  for  a 
counter-attack ;  their  words  of  command  could  be  heard  very  dis 
tinctly,  cautioning  their  men  about  moving  forward  and  sustaining 
an  unbroken  line,  and  to  fire  low.  Just  as  the  command 
"Forward"  was  given,  Colonel  Chandler,  who  commanded  the 
Fifty- Seventh,  commanded  "Attention,  Fifty- Seventh;  fix 
bayonets,  forward,  double  quick,  charge  !"  The  regiment,  led  by 
the  gallant  colonel,  moved  forward  with  a  rush  and  cheer  which 
somewhat  disconcerted  the  contemplated  charge  of  the  enemy, 
who  made  different  arrangements  and  fell  back,  followed  by  our 
line,  for  a  considerable  distance.  Getting  too  far  in  advance 


SPOTTSYLVAXIA    COURT    HOUSE. 


85 


another  halt  was  made  and  the  men  again  ordered  to  lie  down. 
By  this  time  the  Confederate  batteries  had  us  located  within  range 
and  were  dropping  the  shells  uncomfortably  close  amongst  us, 
which  were  being  replied  to  by  the  batteries  from  our  own  side. 
We  knew  where  these  shells  were  going,  and  they  were  music  to 
our  ears  as  they  went  whirring  and  shrieking  over  our  heads  ;  but 
those  Confederate  shells  were  the  most  provoking  things  one  can 
imagine,  as  they  came  with  a  "whir"  and  a  "swish"  through 
the  branches  of  the  trees,  and  plunging  into  the  ground,  when 
each  one  would  hug  the  earth  very  closely  and  wait  for  the  ex 
plosion,  which  would  take  place  in  a  few  seconds,  making  a  deep 
hole  in  the  ground  and  throwing  the  earth  all  over  us.  There  was 
just  that  much  uncertainty  in  them  as  to  cause  a  lack  of  confidence 
in  their  efficacy.  It  took  some  a  long  time  to  explode  and  many 
failed  entirely :  the  men  who  were  nearest  fearing  to  raise  their 
heads  because  they  might  explode  at  any  time.  This  lot  of  Con 
federate  powrder  was  poor  and  showed  that  dishonest  con 
tractors  were  not  all  on  our  side.  Those  that  exploded  would 
sometimes  make  a  hole  large  enough  for  temporary  shelter  for 
men  lying  down. 

At  another  time,  in  the  midst  of  the  battle  and  while  the 
regiment  was  lying  behind  breastworks,  writh  the  dead  and 
wounded  lying  between  the  lines,  exposed  to  a  drenching  rain, 
Captain  Doherty  of  Company  G  saw  a  wounded  Confederate  lying 
in  a  hollow  a  few  yards  from  the  breastworks,  unable  to  move, 
with  a  shattered  thigh,  while  the  pouring  torrent  threatened  to 
drown  him.  He  shouted  to  his  men  "  Who  will  go  and  rescue 
that  man?"  The  enemy's  sharpshooters  wrere  picking  oft'  every 
one  who  showed  his  head,  and  not  a  man  moved.  Then  Captain 
Doherty  said,  "I  never  ask  a  man  to  do  what  I  would  not  do 
myself,"  and,  leaping  over  the  works,  he  brought  in  the  wounded 
man  who  afterwards  died  in  our  hospital. 

The  enemy  was  endeavoring  to  turn  our  flank,  y/hich  at  one 
time  appeared  in  great  danger.  It  therefore  became  necessary  to 
remove  our  wounded  from  the  hospital  in  great  haste,  and  all  who 
were  able  were  sent  away  in  army  wagons  and  ambulances,  but 
about  sixty  were  so  badly  hurt  that  it  was  impossible  to  remove 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

them,  so  that  volunteers  were  called  for  to  remain  and  care  for 
them.  The  surgeon  and  chaplain  and  a  few  nurses  were  left  with 
one  day's  rations  and  a  single  case  of  instruments,  while  all  the 
rest  moved  off.  In  a  short  time  a  company  of  Confederate 
cavalry  rode  up  and  finding  that  there  was  nothing  to  take  and 
that  we  were  only  doing  the  humane  work  of  caring  for  the 
wounded,  some  of  whom  were  their  own  men,  they  departed  in  a 
little  while.  Chaplain  Dashiell  writes  :  "•  We  were  cheered  by  the 
'  hurrahs '  of  the  reinforcements  coming  up  who  restored  the  lines 
and  relieved  us  from  our  exposed  condition." 

Chaplain  Dashiell  relates  another  interesting  incident  which 
occurred  here  :  "A  soldier  from  Massachusetts  with  his  shoulder 
blown  off,  was  slowly  passing  away,  in  great  torture ;  and 
occasionally  the  chaplain  would  administer  a  dose  of  morphine 
and  whiskey  to  alleviate  his  sufferings.  He  was  always  greeted 
with  a  loving  look  as  he  approached  him.  At  last  he  said  : 
4  Chaplain,  I  have  nothing  but  this  valuable  seal  ring;  take  it  and 
buy  whiskey  and  morphine  for  the  wounded  boys.'  '  No,'  said 
the  chaplain,  '  this  ring  will  go  home  to  your  father ;  Uncle  Sam 
is  able  to  buy  all  that  the  wounded  boys  need.'  Afterwards  a 
letter  was  received  from  the  sisters  of  the  dead  boy,  saying  that 
they  had  taken  their  brother's  place  and  were  working  the  farm 
for  their  father  to  let  their  brother  go  to  the  war,  and  they  were 
content  that  their  brother,  who  might  have  died  ingloriously  at 
home,  had  given  his  life  for  his  country." 

The  chaplain  does  not  give  the  name  of  this  soldier. 

During  this  engagement,  Co.  K  of  the  regiment  supported 
the  7th  Maine  Battery,  which  was  continuously  under  fire.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  en 
gagement  of  May  12th,  viz  : 

KILLED. 

Patrick  Dillon,  Pvt.    Co.  A.  Peter  Monney,  Pvt.  Co.  C. 

Daniel  Maglmie,  "  Emery  L,  Rice,  u             " 

David  O'Connors,  Henry  S.  May,  Sergt.  Co.  D. 

Moses  Rivod,  u             "  Ambrose  E.  Morgan,    Pvt.           " 

Lewis  Brothers,  "      Co.  C.  John  Caliill,  "  Co.  E. 

George  J.  Croshier,  "  Edward  M.  Derby,  "  Co.  F. 
Edward  Ross,               Pvt.       Co.  I. 


SPOTTSYLVANIA   COURT   HOUSE. 


87 


WOUNDED    MAY    12th. 

Captain  John  W.  Sanderson. 
1st  Lieut.  Henry  C.  Ward. 
2d  Lieut.  Henry  B.  Fiske. 


ENLISTED    MEN. 


.John  U'Dounell,   1st 
William  R.  Walker, 
Alexander  Bedreaux, 
Augustus  Clanguin, 
Owen  Doyle. 
Timothy  Higgins, 
John  Jordan, 
Dennis  Landon, 
John  Teague. 
Bartholomew  Vaughn, 
James  Walsh. 
Benj.  F.  Dayton 
Henry  E.  Black, 
Albert  Brigham, 
John  Murry. 
Daniel  McCnrty. 
James  Ackley. 
Oliver  Fosgate, 
Cassimcr  Lapelle. 
Patrick  Flynn. 
William  II.  Rathburn, 
George  II.  Sears, 
Almond  C.  Townsencl, 
George  Vinton, 
Peter  Brean. 
John  Lawless. 

Geor 


Sergt.  Co. 
Corp. 
Pvt. 


Corp.  Co. 
Pvt. 


B 


Sergt. 
Pvt. 


Co.  C. 


Co.  I). 

u 


Co.  E. 

Co.  F. 

W.  Benton 


Alden  W.  Stevens,  Pvt.    Co. 

Edwin  E.  Rumney,  Corp.  Co. 

Ira  B.  Bullard,  "      Co. 

Isaac  Brown.  Pvt. 
Christopher  Shamboo,     " 
Charles  A.  Fitts, 

(Died  of  wounds  May  12th.) 

Isaac  Ladaux,  Pvt. 
Rodney  D.  Loomis, 

Joseph  J.  Johnson,  u 

(Died  of  wounds  May  12th.) 

Dennis  Sheern,  Pvt. 

James  M.  Stetson,  u 

George  K.  Ober,  Sergt.  Co, 

Harvey  W.  Gould,  Corp. 

Edward  Carroll,  Pvt. 

Martin  Haley,  " 
William  L.  Jenne 
William  Maguire, 
Alva  A.  Hunt, 

John  Snow,  " 
Ensign  J.  Simmons, 
Patrick  Thornton, 

Henry  Whiten,  Corp. 

John  Connelly,  Pvt. 
Adolphus  Legrave, 
Pvt.     Co,  K. 


The  following  named  men  were  reported  missing :  Sergt. 
John  M.  Hastings,  Co.  F ;  Privates  Oliver  Gosler,  Joseph  Young 
(Co.  E)  and  Michael  Lally  (Co.  I). 

Very  little  was  done  on  the  13th,  except  that  heavy  skir 
mishing  was  kept  up  along  the  line. 

The  Ninth  Corps  occupied  nearly  the  same  position  that  it 
had  held  since  the  commencement  of  the  engagement,  viz.  :  along 
the  Fredericksburg  and  Spottsylvania  Court  House  roads. 


88 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Towards  night  movements  were  made  by  the  various  corps  to 
gain  position  from  which  a  general  attack  could  be  made  on  the 
Confederate  intrenchments  early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th. 

The  position  held  by  the  Ninth  Corps  was  selected  from 
which  the  assault  was  to  be  made.  The  Fifth  Corps  was  ordered 
to  form  on  the  left  of  the  Ninth,  and  the  Sixth  on  the  left  of  the 
Fifth,  while  the  Second  was  directed  to  attack  directly  in  its 
front  upon  the  Confederate  interior  lines  which  they  had  failed  to 
carry  on  the  12th.  The  four  corps  were  ordered  to  attack  along 
the  whole  line  simultaneously  at  4  A.M.  the  14th.  The  movement 
of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  commenced  immediately  after  dark 
on  the  13th,  but  they  had  to  march  through  brush  and  across 
open  fields.  The  night  was  very  dark  and  rainy  and  the  mud 
deep,  so  that  these  two  corps  did  not  come  up  in  time  and  then 
were  not  in  condition  to  attack,  as  many  of  the  men  had  lost  their 
way  in  the  extreme  darkness  and  others  had  fallen  by  the  way 
from  sheer  exhaustion,  hence,  the  contemplated  attack  was 
abandoned.  There  was  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  except  heavy 
skirmishing,  from  this  time  to  the  18th  (May) .  The  rain 
rendered  roads  almost  impassable,  yet  neither  army  was  idle. 
The  Federals  were  pressed  close  up  against  the  Confederate  works 
and  intrenched.  Reconnoitering  continued  to  discover  some  weak 
points  in  the  Confederate  line  that  would  give  promise  of  success 
if  attacked,  but  every  move  of  this  kind  found  the  enemy  ever 
watchful  and  on  the  alert ;  force  was  met  by  force  at  every 
threatened  point.  Lee  seemed  to  anticipate  every  move  and  held 
a  sufficient  force  behind  strong  works,  which  he  continued  to 
strengthen  by  the  construction  of  abatis  and  slashed  timber  in 
front  of  his  line  of  intrenchments,  and  made  himself  strong  enough, 
at  every  point,  to  repel  any  attack.  His  line  had  been  somewhat 
contracted  after  the  engagement  of  the  12th.  The  time  had  come 
when  he  seemed  to  realize  that  an  attack  from  him  would  prove 
disastrous  and  utterly  ruinous,  and  that  the  only  course  left  for 
him  was  in  an  obstinate  defence,  hoping  that  in  time  the  hammer 
might  break  instead  of  the  anvil. 

The  lines  were  so  close  to  each  other  that  a  general  move  on 
either  side  would  soon  be  detected  by  the  other.  Every  man  who 


SPOTTSYLVANIA   COURT   HOUSE. 


89 


was  rash  enough  to  expose  himself  was  sure  to  draw  the  fire  of 
the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  who  were  posted  in  trees  and  concealed 
by  the  foliage,  frequently  changing  their  positions,  as  the  smoke 
of  their  rifles  would  indicate  their  whereabouts.  These  men  were 
usually  posted  at  a  considerable  distance  in  rear  and  armed  with 
long  range  rifles,  provided  with  telescope  sights.  They  fired  with 
great  accuracy.  Orders  were  issued  on  the  17th  for  a  combined 
attack  by  the  Second,  Sixth  and  Ninth  Corps,  the  attack  to  be 
made  from  the  works  captured  on  the  12th,  the  Fifth  Corps  to 
act  in  support  of  the  movement  and  open  fire  with  all  its  artillery. 
The  concentration  commenced  after  dark  the  17th,  and  by  day 
light  of  the  18th  the  troops  were  in  position  and  advanced  to  the 
attack  under  the  fire  of  thirty  pieces  of  artillery,  which  swept  the 
approaches  to  the  rebel  lines.  Under  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry 
the  force  bravely  pushed  on  and  made  several  attempts  to  gain 
the  enemy's  works,  but  were  unsuccessful  and  finally  the  attack 
was  ordered  discontinued.  Our  loss  was  greater  than  that  of  the 
enemy,  as  they  did  not  advance  from  their  intrenchments.  In 
this  engagement  the  Fifty-Seventh  and  Fifty-Ninth  Massachusetts, 
together  with  the  4th  and  10th  U.S.  Infantry  (Regulars) ,  were 
pushed  out  to  reconnoiter  the  Confederate  position,  and  suffered 
considerable  loss,  that  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  being  three  enlisted 
men  killed  and  fifteen  wounded.  Afterwards  the  Ninth  Corps 
made  a  demonstration  upon  the  enemy's  left  which  also  proved 
fruitless. 

Chaplain  Dashiel  describes  this  affair  as  follows:  "  I  stood 
on  the  hill  where  Roemer's  battery  had  been  intrenched  and  where 
General  Burnside  had  his  headquarters,  and  which  the  rebel 
batteries  soon  discovered  and  made  so  hot  that  they  were  obliged 
to  remove,  one  of  the  staff  having  been  severely  wounded.  But, 
while  our  batteries  were  playing  the  infantry  dashed  across  the 
intervening  space  to  find  an  impervious  obstruction  from  the 
rebel  abatis  and  nothing  was  gained." 

Private  Truman  Squires  of  Co.  B,  killed  May  17th. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  killed  and  wounded  in  the 
engagement  of  May  18th,  viz.  :  — 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    KEGIMEXT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


KILLED. 


Pvt. 

Co. 

D 

George  H.  Stowe, 

Pvt. 

Co. 

K 

Corp  . 

Co. 

II 

WOUNDED. 

Sergt. 

Co. 

B 

Asa  Thompson, 

Pvt. 

Co. 

K 

Pvt. 

Co. 

C 

Frederick  Soulie, 

tl 

Co. 

G 

" 

1 

' 

Michael  Bowen, 

Corp. 

Co. 

II 

" 

' 

« 

Isaac  Bowen, 

Pvt. 

' 

u 

< 

t 

James  P.  Brooks, 

Sergt. 

Co. 

K 

» 

Co. 

D 

LoAvell  Daniels, 

Pvt. 

< 

"             "•                 (Mortally  wounded.     Died 

" 

Co. 

E 

same  clay 

0 

Henry  E.  Cobleigh, 
Joseph  White, 


Antonio  Joan, 
Waldo  Sherwin. 
Peter  Busher, 
John  Newton, 
John  Neylon, 
Charles  A.  Bates, 
Stephen  F.  Bush, 
Benj.  Gokey, 
Charles  F.  Pike, 


Aii  incident  is  related  of  Waldo  Sherwin  of  Company  C, 
Fifty-Seventh,  who  during  this  engagement,  having  secured  an 
advanced  position  and  sheltering  himself  behind  a  tree,  annoyed 
the  rebel  artillerists.  Concentrating  his  fire  upon  one  piece  of 
artillery,  he  drove  the  Confederates  from  it  several  times  and  was 
only  driven  from  his  work  by  a  severe  wound  in  his  right  arm, 
received  from  a  sharpshooter  who  contrived  to  flank  him. 

It  became  evident  now  that  no  front  attack  would  succeed, 
and  preparations  were  again  made  for  "  swinging  around  the 
circle."  During  the  night  of  the  18th  the  Ninth  Corps  was  moved 
to  the  left  of  the  Sixth  and  both  were  pushed  up  as  near  the 
enemy's  works  as  possible  without  making  an  attack.  The  Ninth 
Corps  made  reconnoissances  on  the  20th  in  the  direction  of  Smith's 
and  Stannard's  mills  on  the  Ny  and  Po.  Everything  was  in 
readiness  for  a  general  move  by  the  left  flank  on  the  IDth,  but 
General  Lee  evidently  discovered  or  anticipated  it,  and  assuming 
that  the  Federal  right  wing  must  necessarily  become  weakened  by 
such  a  move,  sent  General  Ewell's  Corps  to  attack  it.  This  posi 
tion  wras  held  by  the  Fifth  Corps  (Warren).  General  Ewell,  after 
making  a  detour  of  several  miles,  came  upon  the  Federal  troops 
unawares  and  made  a  vigorous  attack  with  a  force  of  about  six 
thousand  men,  but  was  defeated  with  a  loss  of  about  nine  hundred 
killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.  The  only  effect  this  attack  had, 
was  to  delay  the  movement  by  the  flank  for  another  day. 


SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE. 


91 


In  this  engagement  the  Fourth  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps, 
composed  of  colored  troops,  rendered  excellent  service  in  pro 
tecting  the  wagon  trains,  which,  at  one  time,  were  in  considerable 
danger.  This  was  the  first  experience  of  many  of  the  enlisted 
men  of  the  colored  division  under  fire. 

The  dead  were  buried  upon  the  field  and  all  the  sick  and 
wounded  sent  to  Fredericksburg  and  from  there  to  Northern 
hospitals.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  reinforced  by  several 
thousand  veteran  troops,  while  General  Lee's  army  was  also  rein 
forced  by  the  troops  under  General  Breckenridge,  who  had  just 
defeated  Siegel  in  the  Shenandoah  valley,  and  by  Pickett's  Divi 
sion  from  the  vicinity  of  Petersburg,  which  could  be  spared  after 
General  Butler  had  been  carefully  "  bottled"  at  Bermuda  Hun 
dred.  These  reinforcements  reached  the  Confederate  army  in 
time  to  participate  in  the  engagement  which  took  place  at  the 
North  Anna  river,  May  24th. 

The  great  "flanking  "or  "turning"  movement  was  again 
resumed  on  the  21st  of  May.  The  bloody  battle  of  Spottsylvania 
Court  House  had  finally  closed.  The  Fifty-Seventh,  with  the  rest 
of  the  army,  left  their  footprints  stamped  in  blood,  thus  sealing 
their  devotion  to  duty  and  love  of  country. 

The  following  letter,  giving  an  account  of  events  which 
have  already  been  referred  to,  will,  no  doubt,  add  interest  to  what 
has  already  been  mentioned.  It  was  written  by  Captain,  then 
Lieutenant,  George  E.  Barton,  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  and  kindly 
furnished  with  other  papers  by  Mr.  J.  Brainerd  Hall,  formerly  of 
Company  B  :  — 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION,  AMBULANCE  CORPS, 

NINTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

NEAR  FREDERICKSBURG,  VA.,  May  ll)th,  1864. 
DEAR  .... 

We  have  liacl  some  fearful  fighting,  have  lost  a  great  many  men  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  Fifty-Seventh  is  used  up.  We  only 
muster  270  fighting  men  in  line  of  battle  .... 

Our  corps,  the  Ninth,  moved  this  morning;  where  to  I  do  not  know, 
but  I  shall  be  with  them  tonight.  My  ambulance  train  has  been  convey 
ing  wounded  men  of  our  division,  the  First,  to  Fredericksburg  for  the 
last  three  days.  All  the  houses  there  are  used  for  hospitals.  The  amount 


y^  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

of  suffering  endured  there  in  one  day  is  incalculable.  How  I  pity  the 
noble  fellows  !  for  they  bear  their  wounds  without  a  grumble. 

On  our  first  day's  fight  at  the  Wilderness,  when  I  asked  the  boys 
about  their  wounds,  they  all  seemed  cheerful.  They  asked  about  Colonel 
liartlett,  inquiring  if  he  was  badly  wounded,  and  when  I  told  them 
kt  slightly  wounded,"  they  seemed  very  well  satisfied.  Our  lieutenant- 
colonel  (Chandler)  has  won  for  himself  the  respect  and  love  of  the  whole 
regiment  by  his  cool  and  daring  behavior  in  the  various  tights  in  which 
we  have  already  been  engaged.  He  seems  to  bear  a  charmed  life. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  stands  very  high  and  will  do  so  until  not  a  man 
is  left  .... 

The  citizens  of  Worcester,  in  their  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of 
the  soldiers  from  that  city  and  county,  sent  Messrs.  Absirus  and 
J.  Stewart  Brown  to  Washington  and  the  front  (May,  1864),  for 
the  purpose  of  rendering  aid  and  comfort,  especially  to  the  sick 
and  wounded.  Two  better  men  could  hardly  have  been  selected, 
of  warm,  genial  dispositions  and  sympathetic  natures. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  them  and  published  in 
the  Worcester  Spy  of  May  30th,  18G4,  a  copy  of  which  was 
retained  and  kindly  furnished  by  Mr.  J.  Brainerd  Hall. 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.,  May  20th.  18(54. 
DEAR  .   .  .   .    : 

Over  one  thousand  badly  wounded  soldiers  have  been  taken  off  from 
boats  today,  and  among  them  are  a  few  Massachusetts  boys. 

The  Steamer  State  of  Maine  has  403,  Columbus  277,  Wan-axel  171), 
Young  America  200,  making  an  aggregate  of  1,059.  The  last-named 
boat,  after  reaching  here,  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Alexandria  and  there 
unload.  Some  of  the  boys  hearing  this  order,  murmured  considerably 
and  said  they  had  had  enough  of  Virginia.  Amongst  the  number  on  the 
Columbus  we  found  Private  Charles  Fitch  of  Company  H,  Fifty-Seventh, 
a  Worcester  boy,  who  was  wounded  in  both  legs.  We  procured  some 
men  who  carried  him  on  a  stretcher  to  Army  Square  Hospital,  it  being 
very  painful  to  him  to  be  moved  much.  We  learned  from  him  of  the 
death  of  Samuel  Levering  of  his  company. 

Private  Albert  C.  Ellis  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  whom  we  mentioned  in 
a  previous  letter  as  being  at  Fredericksburg,  lying  in  the  pulpit  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  has  arrived  at  Alexandria,  where  we  saw 
him  yesterday  and,  by  a  funny  coincidence,  is  also  in  a  church  there.  He 
is  in  the  body  of  the  church,  being  in  the  position  of  a  parishioner,  having 
descended  somewhat  from  his  former  station.  He  is  doing  very 
and  hopes  to  go  home  soon. 


SI'OTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE. 


03 


Having  had  inquiry  as  to  Abraham  Luchay,  Company  F,  Fifty- 
Seventh,  we  would  say  that  he  was  not  wounded  in  either  of  the  battles 
and  went  forward  with  his  regiment. 

Quite  a  number  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  are  at  Alexandria,  and  before 
we  return  home  we  intend  to  take  as  complete  a  list  as  we  can  of  all  our 
men  and  the  hospitals  in  which  they  are  placed. 

Some  very  line  buildings  at  Alexandria  are  filled  with  wounded 
soldiers,  and  every  place  for  accommodation  is  nearly  filled. 

The  hospitals  in  the  city  are  rapidly  filling  with  the  accessions  daily 
arriving,  and  being  mostly  bad  cases,  many  operations  have  been  per 
formed  within  two  or  three  days. 

There  have  been  more  opportunities  for  assisting  wounded  soldiers 
for  the  past  two  or  three  days  than  at  any  time  before.  Some  desire  to 
be  lifted  from  their  beds,  others  wishing  drink  or  eatables,  and  others  to 
whom  a  word  of  comfort  is  consoling. 

To  a  stranger,  who  has  seen  but  little  of  real  suffering,  the  manner 
of  those  who  have  charge  of  the  wounded  seems  anything  but  kind  and 
attentive;  but,  on  getting  accustomed  to  these  scenes,  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  getting  hardened  to  it.  Many  become  so  tired  of  lying  in  bed 
that  they  beg  you  to  take  them  off.  Some  cry  for  fresh  air,  as  though 
suffocating,  and  in  fact,  everything  connected  forms  a  state  of  things 
which  appears  to  some  terrible.  The  report  is  that  some  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  will  be  taken  to  Port  Royal,  and  that  Fredericksburg  is  entirely 
vacated  by  our  forces.  Boats  are  hourly  expected  from  the  latter,  and 
hundreds  are  waiting  for  them. 

FRIDAY  Noox,  May  27th,  18G4. 

Up  to  this  hour  no  boats  with  wounded  have  arrived,  and  we  learn 
from  a  gentleman  just  arrived  from  Fredericksburg  that  everybody  has 
left  there,  and  if  any  more  hospital  boats  come  to  Washington  they  will 
be  from  Port  Royal. 

Lieutenants  Bowman,  Dewey  and  Ward  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  left 
this  morning  for  Port  Royal  on  the  steamer  Ocean  Wave,  with  the  inten 
tion  of  joining  their  regiment.  They  were  accompanied  by  forty  other 
officers  of  different  regiments  who  have  recovered  from  slight  wounds 
or  sickness. 

We  intend  going  to  Alexandria  again  this  afternoon  and  render 
assistance  if  required. 


It  has  sometimes  been  said  that  promises  were  made  by  those 
who  did  not  go  to  the  war  to  induce  men  to  enlist,  which  were 
afterwards  forgotten,  the  soldiers  neglected  and  their  families  left 
to  suffer.  Whatever  may  be  said  of  other  places,  this  is  not  true 


y*  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

of  the  people  of  Worcester.  They  did  make  promises,  but  they 
more  than  fulfilled  every  promise  made.  Their  outstretched  arms 
were  extended  to  distant  battlefields,  and  their  fostering  care 
reached  every  sick  or  wounded  soldier  from  Worcester.  Not  only 
those,  but  very  many  others  are  indebted  to  them  for  acts  of 
kindness  and  generosity,  while  no  instance  can  be  mentioned 
where  they  permitted  the  families  of  those  who  were  bravely  doing 
battle  for  their  country  to  suffer  for  the  comforts  of  life,  where 
such  cases  were  brought  to  their  notice.  The  same  can  be  said  of 
the  noble  old  State  of  Massachusetts.  Her  lofty  spirit  of  patri 
otism  kept  watch  and  ward  over  her  faithful,  loyal  sons  who  were 
absent  in  the  army,  and  their  dependent  friends  at  home.  More 
has  been  done  than  ever  was  promised. 

While  the  old  soldiers  stand  ever  loyal  and  devoted  to  our 
National  Government  and  its  flag,  yet  there  is  an  enduring  love 
for  our  mother  State  that  has  elevated  them  to  positions  of  honor 
and  trust,  and  stands  ever  ready  to  keep  her  plighted  faith  with 
the  brave  soldiers  she  sent  into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 
"God  bless  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts."  The  people 
throughout  the  country  also  organized  Sanitary  and  Christian 
Commissions,  which  did  almost  as  much  for  our  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers  as  did  the  general  government. 


JULIUS    M.  TUCKER, 

Lieut.-Col.  57th  Mass.,  Bvt.   Col.  U.S.  Vols. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


NORTH  ANNA  RIVER. 

HERE  seemed  to  be  a  great  fondness  among  the  old 
Virginians  for  naming  their  towns  and  rivers  in  the 
feminine  gender.  Only  three  weeks  had  elapsed  since 
we  had  crossed  the  "  Rapid  Ann,"  which,  one  might 
suppose,  was  a  polite  way  of  speaking  of  what,  in 
modern  parlance,  might  be  called  a  "fast"  young  lady, 
although  her  manner  was  quite  becoming  as  we  saw  her. 
Now  we  were  again  rivals  for  the  smiles  and  favors  of  her  twin 
sister,  North  Anna,  who  was  as  cold  as  her  name  might  imply, 
and  rather  gave  us  the  cold  shoulder  in  favor  of  our  more  suc 
cessful  rival.  There  was  another  named  South  Anna  whose 
acquaintance  we  did  not  make. 

Again,  in  pursuance  of  the  general  plan  of  the  campaign, 
orders  were  issued  May  20th,  1864,  for  moving  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  from  the  vicinity  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House  to  cut 
General  Lee's  army  from  Richmond.  The  Second  Corps  was 
directed  to  move  soon  after  dark,  by  way  of  Guinea  Station  and 
Bowling  Green  to  Milford  Station,  about  twenty  miles,  and  take 
position  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Mattapony,  and  to  attack  the 
enemy  wherever  found.  The  Fifth  Corps  was  ordered  to  move 
on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  to  Massaponax  Church  and  from 
there  south  by  the  telegraph  road,  crossing  the  Ny  at  Smith's 
mill,  the  Po  at  Stannard's  mill  and  from  there  south  via  Thorn- 
burg. 

The  Ninth  Corps  was  ordered  to  follow  the  Fifth  over  the 
same  route,  while  the  Sixth  Corps  was  ordered  to  concentrate  at 
what  was  known  as  the  Gayle  House,  being  a  commanding  posi 
tion  south  of  the  Ny  and  about  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Spottsylvania  Court  House,  with  the  object  of  detaining  the 
enemy  in  position  as  long  as  possible  and  covering  the  movements 
of  the  other  three  corps.  It  will  be  observed  that  each  corps 
moved  separately,  and,  at  first,  directly  east,  afterwards  to  the 
south. 

The  Second  Corps  moved  as  directed,  crossing  the  Matta- 
pony  with  but  little  opposition,  captured  a  few  prisoners  and  took 
possession  of  the  wagon  and  railr-oad  bridges  there,  the  latter  on 
the  Richmond  and  Fredericksburg  railroad.  While  this  move 
ment  was  in  process  of  execution  by  the  Second  Corps,  the  other 
three  made  a  demonstration  of  force  in  front  of  the  enemy  to 
retain,  if  possible,  his  main  army  there  and  thus  give  General 
Hancock  time  to  gain  and  hold  position  with  the  Second  Corps 
until  the  arrival  of  the  three  above  mentioned ;  but  General  Lee 
learned  of  this  movement  and  moved  Swell's  Corps  around  to  his 
right  and  posted  it  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Po  at  Stannard's 
mill.  The  Fifth  Corps  commenced  the  march  at  ten  o'clock  the 
morning  of  the  21st.  General  Warren's  orders  were  changed  so 
as  to  direct  him  on  Guinea  Station,  where  he  crossed  the  Ny  and 
moved  towards  Madison's  store,  bivouacking  for  the  night  at  Cat- 
lett's.  The  march  was  only  opposed  by  small  bodies  of  Confed 
erate  cavalry.  The  order  was  further  changed  so  that  the  Sixth 
was  to  follow  the  Ninth.  The  Confederate  corps  of  A.  P.  Hill 
remained  in  the  trenches  around  Spottsylvania,  as  did  also  the 
Sixth  and  Ninth  Corps  of  the  Federal  army  up  to  the  night  of 
the  21st.  During  the  day  the  brigade  to  which  the  Fifty-Seventh 
belonged,  First  Brigade,  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  made  a 
sortie  upon  the  enemy  as  a  covering  movement.  The  Sixth  Corps 
was  to  follow,  but  it  was  attacked  by  Hill's  Corps,  the  attack 
only  being  made  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  what  force  was 
opposed  to  him  and  was  easily  repulsed  with  but  little  loss  to 
either  side.  The  advance  of  the  Second  Corps,  followed  by  the 
Fifth,  being  well  under  way  towards  North  Anna  river,  the  Sixth 
and  Ninth  abandoned  their  works  that  night  (May  21st).  and 
proceeded  by  the  route  heretofore  specified  also  towards  the  North 
Anna.  Hill's  Corps  moved  at  the  same  time,  and,  having  a 
shorter  line  to  march  by,  gained  the  objective  point  first. 


NORTH    ANNA    RIVER. 


97 


That  General  Lee  was  advised  of  the  movements  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  will  appear  from  the  following  telegram  sent  by 
him  to  the  Confederate  Secretary  of  War.  This  has  been  copied 
from  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys'  "  Virginia  Campaign  of  '64  and 
'65  "  and  reads  as  follows  : 

SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE, 

8.40  A.M.,  May  21st,  1864. 
HON.  J.  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War : 

The  enemy  is  apparently  again  changing  his  base.  Three  (3)  gun 
boats  came  up  to  Port  Royal  two  days  since.  This  morning  an  infantry 
force  appeared  at  Guinea's.  His  cavalry  advance  at  Downer's  Bridge  on 
Bowling  Green  road.  He  is  apparently  placing  the  Mattapony  between 
us,  and  will  probably  open  communication  with  Port  Royal.  I  am  ex 
tending  on  the  telegraph  road  and  will  regulate  my  movements  by  the 
information  ....  of  his  route.  I  fear  will  secure  him  from  attack 
until  he  crosses  the  Pamunky. 

R.  E.  LEE. 


General  Humphreys  makes  the  following  note:  "This  tele 
gram  was  in  cipher.  The  part  apparently  confidential  is  omitted 
in  the  translation.  The  last  sentence  should  probably  read  '  I 
fear  it  will  secure  him  '  etc.,  .  .  .  .  — A.  A.  H." 

The  whole  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  again  on  the  march, 
following  a  general  line  by  the  Richmond  and  Fredericksburg 
railroad  and  directed  on  three  fords  of  the  North  Anna,  viz.  : 
Jericho,  Oxford  and  Chesterfield  (Taylor's  Bridge).  General 
Lee's  army  was  posted  on  the  right  bank  opposite  and  was  again 
strongly  intrenched. 

The  North  Anna  is  a  stream  of  considerable  importance, 
having  a  rapid,  eddying  current,  and  difficult  to  ford  at  any  time ; 
the  bottom  is  very  rocky,  with  high,  precipitous  banks  which  were 
heavily  wooded.  The  Second  Corps  was  to  cross  at  Chesterfield 
Bridge,  the  Fifth  at  Jericho,  four  miles  above,  where  it  crossed 
with  but  little  opposition  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  when  it  was 
immediately  attacked  by  two  divisions  of  A.  P.  Hill's  corps, 
which  gained  considerable  temporary  advantage,  but  were 
eventually  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  several  hundred  prisoners. 


98  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

The  crossing  of  the  Second  Corps  was  vigorously  opposed 
from  a  redan  battery  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river  in  front  of 
the  bridge.  This  was  charged  and  carried  by  General  Birney's 
division,  after  which  the  whole  corps  crossed  by  the  bridge  on  the 
morning  of  the  24th. 

The  Sixth  Corps  crossed  the  river  that  morning  and  joined 
the  Fifth.  The  two  wings  of  the  army  were  now  safely  across 
the  river  and  confronting  the  enemy,  but  they  were  not  connected. 
It  was  intended  that  the  Ninth  Corps  should  cross  at  Oxford  and 
make  this  connection.  The  Confederate  army  was  posted  with 
its  centre  well  forward,  near  the  river,  and  the  two  wings  thrown 
back.  It  is  mentioned  as  being  "  wedge  shaped,"  with  the  point 
of  the  wedge  opposite  Oxford,  where  the  Ninth  Corps  was  to 
cross.  On  the  afternoon  of  May  24th,  1864,  the  First  Division 
of  the  Ninth  Corps,  under  command  of  General  Crittenden,  ap 
proached  the  river  at  Quarles'  Mill,  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
above  Oxford.  The  First  Brigade,  to  which  the  Fifty-Seventh 
belonged,  led  the  way  in  wading  the  river.  The  water  was  so 
deep  in  places  that  the  men  had  to  throw  their  cartridge  boxes 
across  their  shoulders  to  keep  the  ammunition  from  getting  wet. 
It  was  slow  work  floundering  over  the  slippery  rocks  and  through 
the  whirling  eddies,  but  the  crossing  was  made  without  opposi 
tion.  A  skirmish  line  was  immediately  thrown  forward  on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  river.  The  brigade  was  halted  for  about 
five  minutes  to  allow  the  men  who  had  removed  their  shoes  in 
wading  the  river  to  put  them  on  again,  and  the  others  to  empty 
the  water  from  their  shoes  and  wring  out  their  stockings.  All 
were  soaking  wet  up  to  their  armpits,  and  in  this  condition  the 
line  was  formed  and  moved  forward  before  the  other  brigades  had 
effected  a  crossing.  The  35th  Massachusetts  was  deployed  as 
skirmishers  and  preceded  the  advance  through  a  heavy  wood, 
followed  by  the  56th,  57th  and  59th  Massachusetts,  and  the  4th 
and  10th  U.S.  Infantry.  The  enemy's  skirmish  line  was  soon 
encountered  and  driven  in.  After  proceeding  about  one-half 
or  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  this  way,  the  line  emerged  from 
the  thick  woods,  and  upon  a  high,  semicircular  shaped  ridge  of 
hills,  about  eight  hundred  yards  beyond,  a  Confederate  battery 


NORTH    ANNA    RIVER. 


99 


could  be  seen,  well  protected  by  earthworks  and  strongly  sup 
ported  by  infantry.  The  brigade  commander  was  full  of  fight 
and  was  desirous  of  taking  hold  at  once,  before  the  other  troops 
could  come  up,  and  then  he  would  not  have  to  make  a  division  of 
the  anticipated  glory.  Yet  he  thought  he  needed  a  little  more 
strengthening.  He  therefore  called  upon  an  officer  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  who  was  the  only  officer  at  the  time  with  his  company, 
to  return  with  all  possible  haste  to  General  Crittenden,  command 
ing  the  division,  with  the  following  verbal  message:  "Give  my 
compliments  to  General  Crittenden  and  tell  him  that  there  is  a 
rebel  battery  in  my  front ;  ask  him  to  please  send  me  three  regi 
ments  immediately,  one  on  my  right,  one  on  my  left  and  the  other 
in  rear  for  support,  and  I  will  charge  and  capture  it." 

The  bearer  of  the  message  was  not  a  staff  officer,  was  wholly 
unknown  to  General  Crittenden  and  knew  not  where  to  find  him, 
yet  he  followed  the  direction  as  near  as  he  could  back  to  the  ford, 
and  by  good  fortune,  went  directly  to  him  and  delivered  the 
message.  The  General  looked  somewhat  surprised  that  this 
singular  request  had  not  come  through  one  of  the  brigade  staff, 
and  at  first  seemed  a  little  suspicious  ;  but  after  a  few  questions 
and  becoming  satisfied  with  the  identity  of  the  officer,  he  directed 
him  to  return  immediately  with  this  verbal  reply,  which,  in  sub 
stance,  is  correct,  and  in  words  as  near  as  can  be  remembered : 
"  Go  back  to  General  -  -  immediately.  Give  him  my  com 
pliments  and  tell  him  I  have  not  the  regiments  to  spare.  The 
division  is  not  across  the  river  yet.  Tell  him  my  orders  are  not 
to  charge."  As  the  messenger  turned  around  and  started  to 
return,  General  Crittenden  called  him  back  and  modified  the  order 
about  as  follows  :  "  Tell  General  -  -  not  to  charge  unless  he 
sees  a  sure  thing  where  he  can  capture  a  battery  not  well  sup 
ported  ;  to  use  the  utmost  caution.  Tell  him  that  I  have  informa 
tion  that  seems  reliable,  that  the  enemy  is  posted  in  force  in  his 
front,  and  if  he  charges  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  a  failure  and  result 
in  bringing  on  a  serious  engagement  which  we  are  in  no  condition 
to  meet  now,  as  a  large  part  of  my  division  is  still  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river  with  the  rest  of  the  corps ;  tell  him  to  use  the 
utmost  caution." 


100 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


In  returning  with  this  answer  the  bearer  took  a  course  further 
to  the  right,  which,  when  he  reached  the  open  in  front  of  the 
wood,  brought  him  on  higher  ground  from  where  he  could  get  a 
better  view  of  the  position  of  the  enemy  than  from  where  the 
brigade  was  formed.  From  there  he  could  see  other  batteries  in 
position,  with  a  strong  line  of  infantry  intrenchments,  while  over 
and  beyond  could  be  seen  clouds  of  dust  which  indicated  that  a 
large  force  was  hastening  towards  the  threatened  point  of  attack ; 
while  down  to  the  left  he  saw  the  brigade  drawn  out  in  front  of 
the  wood,  its  commander  making  ready  for  the  charge  without 
waiting  an  answer  to  the  request  for  reinforcements,  without 
knowing  whether  they  were  coming  or  not,  or  what  was  in  front 
or  behind  him.  He  hastened  to  the  brigade  and  endeavored  to 
deliver  General  Crittenden's  orders,  but  in  the  excited  state  of 
mind  in  which  he  found  the  commanding  officer,  it  is  doubtful  if 
he  heard,  or  if  he  did,  that  he  understood  one  word  or  cared  a 
"  continental." 

It  has  long  been  a  matter  of  mental  debate  whether,  at  this 
late  day,  the  truth  in  regard  to  this  affair  should  be  told  or  not ; 
whether,  as  long  as  there  is  no  remedy  for  it  now,  it  should  not 
be  smoothed  over  and  made  to  appear  in  a  favorable  light ;  but 
justice  to  the  memory  of  those  brave  men  who  fell  upon  that 
bloody  field  and  our  own  sense  of  duty,  prompts  us  to  tell  the 
truth  as  we  saw  it. 

The  black  lowering  clouds  which  had  gathered  and  were  fast 
approaching  from  the  west  indicated  that  a  heavy  shower  was 
about  to  fall.  On  the  return  a  well-known  officer  was  met,  being 
carried  out  by  some  men,  hors-de-combat  from  chronic  sunstroke, 
although  it  was  cloudy  at  the  time.  His  frantic  gesticulations 
disclosed  his  eagerness  to  grapple  with  the  Confederate  army  sin 
gle  handed,  but  the  unfortunate  sunstroke  had  prostrated  him ; 
only  for  this  the  war  would  have  been  closed  that  very  day.  The 
condition  of  affairs  did  not  give  promise,  to  those  who  realized 
the  situation,  of  a  very  great  victory.  The  men  had  been  re 
quired  to  remove  their  knapsacks  and  all  other  impedimenta  to 
their  rapid  progress  across  the  open  space  that  intervened  between 
the  line  and  the  objective  battery.  The  General  was  inspired 


NORTH    ANNA    RIVER. 


101 


with  that  artificial  courage  known  throughout  the  army  as  ' '  Dutch 
courage,"  the  quantity  of  which  seemed  to  be  sufficient  to  sustain 
him  through  this  or  any  other  trying  ordeal,  but  the  quality  was 
not  of  the  enduring  kind.  A  diminutive  officer  of  his  staff  had 
evidently  become  inspired  with  the  same  enthusiasm  and  was 
standing  boldly  out  to  the  front  with  a  small-sized  Smith  &  Wes 
son  revolver  in  his  right  hand,  firing  wildly  towards  the  rebel 
battery,  about  eight  hundred  yards  distant.  It  has  never  been 
learned  what  damage  he  did ;  at  all  events,  the  battery  did  not 
surrender.  The  brigade  was  finally  launched  out  like  a  thunder 
bolt  from  the  dark,  threatening  clouds  from  which  the  rain  was 
just  beginning  to  descend.  The  General  led  in  person.  His 
courage  had  just  the  right  poise  and  there  was  no  knowing  how 
long  it  would  stay  or  when  it  would  be  there  again.  He  must, 
therefore,  make  the  most  of  its  present  condition.  What  was 
true  of  Tarn  O'Shanter  a  hundred  years  ago  seemed  equally  true 
in  this  case  : 

"  Inspiring  bold  John  Barleycorn  ! 

What  dangers  thou  canst  make  us  scorn  ! 

Wi'  tippenny  we  fear  nae  evil, 

Wi'  usquebae  we'll  face  the  devil !  " 

After  proceeding  a  short  distance  all  semblance  of  a  line 
became  lost.  It  was  just  a  wild  tumultuous  rush  where  the  more 
reckless  were  far  to  the  front  and  the  cautious  ones  scattered 
along  back,  but  still  coming  on.  Many  of  the  Confederate  soldiers 
stood  upon  their  breastworks  and  called  out  in  a  tantalizing  man 
ner, —  "  Come  on,  Yank,  come  on  to  Richmond."  A  tall,  cadav 
erous  looking  officer  of  the  Ninth  Corps  staff  was  also  in  the 
procession.  Placing  his  hat  upon  the  point  of  his  sword  he  held 
it  above  his  head  and  danced  around  in  evident  glee.  A  rebel 
sharpshooter  playfully  sent  a  bullet  through  the  hat,  but  gener 
ously  spared  the  officer  for  a  future  occasion.  On  went  the 
furious  charge  until  the  guns  of  the  battery  became  visible. 
Musketry  fire  was  opened  upon  the  assailants  and  men  began  to 
fall.  The  Fifty-Seventh  colors  went  down  as  the  color  ser 
geant  was  hit,  but  they  quickly  came  up  and  the  brave  Karpeles 
again  went  forward  with  them,  although  badly  wounded.  Colonel 


102  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Chandler  endeavored  to  take  the  colors  from  him  and  send  him 
back,  but  he  clung  to  them  and  continued  far  in  the  advance, 
until,  weakened  from  loss  of  blood,  he  was  obliged  to  pass  them 
into  other  hands  and  fall  to  the  rear.  We  had  almost  reached  the 
silent  batteries,  when  suddenly  every  gun  flashed  out  a  shower  of 
grape  and  canister  which  shook  the  very  ground  and  swept  every 
thing  in  front.  Beneath  the  clouds  of  rising  smoke  the  Confeder 
ate  infantry  could  be  seen  rapidly  advancing  and  closing  in  from 
the  right  and  left.  The  gallant  charge  went  no  farther,  but 
turned  into  a  complete  rout.  A  further  advance  meant  simply  to 
rush  into  the  jaws  of  death  or  a  surrender.  The  only  hope  lay  in 
a  hasty  retreat.  Colonel  Chandler  fell  mortally  wounded.  Cap 
tain  Prescott,  Sergt.  E.  D.  McFarland  and  one  or  two  others 
endeavored  to  raise  and  carry  him  from  the  field,  but  it  was  too 
late.  Raising  one  hand,  he  quietly  motioned  them  to  put  him 
down,  saying:  "You  can  do  nothing  for  me,  save  yourselves  if 
you  can."  He  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Harris  of 
the  12th  Mississippi  communicated  the  fact  that  he  survived  some 
hours  after  the  battle.  He  generously  cared  for  him  and  sent 
tidings  of  his  death,  together  with  his  watch,  money,  diary  and  a 
photograph  of  a  young  lady  to  our  lines,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to 
be  forwarded  to  his  bereaved  mother. 

Incidents  like  this  were  of  such  rare  occurrence  during  the 
bitter  strife  that  one  may  well  pause  to  notice  it.  If  the  South 
had  possessed  more  such  men,  their  cause  would  not  have  been 
stained  with  the  records  of  Fort  Pillow  and  Anderson ville.  Such 
noble  characters  do  honor  even  to  a  bad  cause. 

But,  resuming  the  narrative,  the  charge  that  had  been  made 
Avith  so  little  regard  to  military  order,  now  became  a  confused  and 
demoralized  flight.  The  General  gave  no  order  and  made  no 
attempt  to  rally.  Such  an  effort  would  have  been  utterly  futile, 
even  if  he  had  been  in  a  disposition  to  undertake  it.  Every  man 
became  his  own  general,  while  the  receding  tide  scattered  and 
disappeared  in  the  wood  from  which  the  charge  had  been  made. 
Men  were  falling  at  every  step.  We  well  remember  one  brave 
young  boy  of  eighteen  years,  William  Anthony  of  Leicester,  a 
member  of  Company  E,  who  fell  never  to  rise  again.  The 


NORTH    ANNA   RIVER. 


103 


scattered  brigade  fled  with  due  haste,  back  to  the  river  at  a 
point  below  where  it  had  previously  crossed.  By  this  time  it  was 
getting  dark  and  the  rain  was  pouring  in  torrents.  Looking  down 
into  the  deep,  black  waters  in  rear  and  the  charging  enemy  in 
front,  presented  rather  a  gloomy  appearance  to  a  defeated, 
demoralized  body  of  men  without  head  or  guidance.  Several 
officers  attempted  to  make  a  rally  upon  the  river's  bank,  but  it 
was  of  no  use.  Following, the  General  up  the  river,  as  they  had 
followed  him  in  the  charge,  the  remainder  of  the  division  was 
found.  Having  effected  a  crossing,  and  hearing  the  heavy  firing 
in  front,  they  had  thrown  up  a  hasty  defence  of  logs  and  branches, 
behind  which  the  badly  beaten  First  Brigade  was  glad  to  take 
refuge  and  help  to  check  the  advancing  charge  of  the  enemy. 
The  night  was  intensely  dark  and  rainy,  yet  men  worked  hard 
constructing  defensive  works  from  fallen  timber,  while  the 
whizzing  shots  continued  to  rattle  through  the  branches  of  the 
trees ;  and  thus  ended  the  battle  of  North  Anna,  in  which 
the  Fifty-Seventh  regiment  lost  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chandler  and 
nine  enlisted  men  killed,  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Royce  and  twelve 
enlisted  men  wounded  and  thirteen  enlisted  men  missing,  making 
a  total  loss  of  two  officers  and  thirty-four  enlisted  men.  Of  the 
missing,  many  were  killed  or  subsequently  died  in  Confederate 
prisons.  The  names  are  here  given  below  :  — 

KILLED. 

Thomas  Burke,  Pvt.  Co.  B  Henry  L.  Park,              Corp.    Co.  H 

Amos  P.  Newton,  Patrick  H.  Manville,    Pvt. 

Thomas  Curley,  "  Co.  I)  Thomas  Conway,             u         Co.    I 

William  H.  Anthony,  "  Co.  E  David  Sancomb, 

Richard  Mulstead,  "  Co.  G 

ENLISTED    MEN    WOUNDED. 

Julius  Bougall,  Pvt.      Co.  D  Thomas  Conners,          Pvt.  Co.  H 

Jacob  Kirby,  "  "•  Phineas  L.  Holbrook,      "  " 

Joseph  E.  Lapoint,  "       Co.  E  Thomas  J.  Tourtellott,    " 

Joseph  Horton,  -"        Co.  G  Leopold  Karpeles,  Col.-Sergt.  Co.  I 

(Died  June  2d,  18G4,  at  Joseph  W.  Barnes,         Pvt.  Co.  K 

Washington,  D.C.)  Henry  L.  Gill,  <l 

Ira  B    Bullard,  Corp.   Co.  H  Wesley  F.  Hayward,        "  " 

(Died  May  24th,  1864) 


104  FIFTY-SEVENTH    KEGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

ENLISTED   MEN   MISSING. 

D.  Landon,                     Pvt.     Co.  A  Edwin  R.  Reed,             Pvt.      Co.  D 

William  Mooher,              "•             "  (Supposed  to  have  been  killed.) 

Daniel  O'Connor,              "            "  Michael  McCarty,         Pvt.      Co   E 

Antonio  Phillips,               "       Co.  B  John  A.  Paine,                  "       Co.  H 

(Died  at  Andersonville,  (Died  Sept.  15th,  1864,  at 

July  27th,  1864.)  Andersonville,  Ga.) 

Lyman  Bryant,              Pvt.     Co.  D  EdAvard  A.  Walton,      Pvt.      Co.  II 

(Died  in  Andersonville,  (Died  at  Andersonville, 

July  27th,  1864.)  Aug.  10th,  1864.) 

John  E.  Hinton,            Pvt.      Co.  D  Amasa  R.  Bullock,        Pvt.      Co.  I 

Egbert  S.  Jacquins,          "             "  Herbert  0.  Smith,            "       Co.  K 

(Died  in  Andersonville,  (Died  of  wounds,  May  24th,  1864.) 
Aug.  loth,  1864.) 

The  description  given  of  this  engagement  is  a  correct  one, 
as  witnessed  by  those  who  were  present,  and  is  not  imaginary. 
Nothing  whatever  was  accomplished,  except  a  needless  slaughter, 
which  had  a  disheartening  effect  upon  the  men  ;  the  humiliation 
of  defeat  and  the  complete  loss  of  all  confidence  in  the  brigade 
commander  who  was  wholly  responsible,  a  loss  which  was  never 
regained  through  the  course  of  future  events.  When  men  are 
called  upon  to  make  such  sacrifices  they  do  not  like  to  feel  that 
they  are  entirely  thrown  away  through  a  blind,  temporary  courage 
of  an  incompetent  leader.  Yet  this  was  not  an  exceptional  case; 
there  were  many  such  during  the  war  which  historians  have  treated 
with  too  much  charity. 

Looking  at  the  affair  in  the  light  of  after  years,  it  presents 
no  new  features.  The  result  was  as  apparent  before  as  after  the 
charge ;  the  nearer  the  brigade  approached,  the  plainer  could  be 
seen  the  frowning  batteries,  the  strong  breastworks  and  the  large 
force  we  were  attacking.  The  fact  was,  a  decimated  brigade, 
wholly  unsupported  and  poorly  commanded,  was  assailing  the 
enemy  with  batteries  in  position,  supported  by  a  strongly  in 
trenched  line  of  infantry.  It  did,  however,  develop  noble  traits 
in  the  character  of  those  men  who  obeyed  orders  without  a  mur 
mur  and  went  forward  in  this  desperate  charge  with  a  patriotic 
devotion  to  duty.  Such  men,  intelligently  commanded,  could  be 
relied  upon  in  any  emergency.  Their  deeds  are  none  the  less 


CHARLES  LYON  CHANDLER 

LIEUT.  COLONEL  o7TH    MASS. 


NORTH   ANNA    RIVER. 


105 


worthy  on  account  of  disaster  than  they  would  have  been  through 
the  plaudits  of  victory. 

A  letter  written  by  Chaplain  Dashiell  to  Miss  Andrew  soon 
after  this  engagement,  reads  as  follows:  "About  noon  we  re 
ceived  the  order  to  move  and  I  rode  with  the  Colonel  at  the  head 
of  the  column.  A  mile  or  two  of  marching  brought  us  to  the 
North  Anna,  which  we  were  to  wade.  It  was  a  shallow  stream, 
filled  with  large  stones  and  some  deep  holes.  He  rode  over  safely. 
Two  other  horsemen  got  beyond  their  depth  and  soon  I  came 
over  dry  shod.  We  had  some  pleasantry  about  the  passage  and 
I  was  pleased  to  find  him  in  such  a  fine  flow  of  spirits.  He  had 
picked  up  a  belt  containing  a  revolver  and  bayonet,  which  had 
been  lost  by  some  luckless  soldier,  and  taking  the  revolver,  he 
jokingly  offered  the  bayonet  to  some  of  the  boys  then  passing. 
We  passed  up  the  bank  and  on  the  level  above  he  formed  the 
regiment  in  line  of  battle  and  pushed  on  at  the  head  of  his  men. 
Soon  the  roar  of  battle  quickened  our  preparations  for  the 
wounded  and  they  began  to  come  in  after  a  few  moments,  and 
rumors  came  of  the  Colonel's  wound  and  then  of  his  abandonment 
on  the  field  .... 

t;  The  color  sergeant  (Karpeles)  was  shot  when  our  regiment 
was  overborne  by  the  masses  of  the  rebels,  and  went  to  the  rear 
only  when  Colonel  Chandler  insisted  upon  it.  There  was  a  rumor 
that  night  in  the  hospital  that  the  corporal  who  had  the  colors 
having  been  killed,  the  Colonel  seized  them  and  was  killed  in  con 
sequence.  There  was  no  ground  for  the  rumor,  but  the  poor 
fellow  was  inconsolable.  All  night  long  he  charged  himself  with 
the  death  of  his  'dear  colonel,'  because  he  had  left  the  field. 

Colonel  Chandler  has  left  a  record  in  the  hearts  of  his  regi 
ment  and  upon  the  pages  of  his  country's  history,  which  might 
gratify  the  ambition  of  any  man." 

Lieut. -Col.  Charles  L.  Chandler  was  the  eldest  son  of 
T.  P.  Chandler,  Assistant  Treasurer  of  the  United  States,  at  Bos 
ton.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the  1st  Massachu 
setts,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  as  2d  lieutenant  of  Company  A,  May  25th,  1861, 
promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  in  the  same  regiment,  March  21st, 


106  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

1862,  and  with  that  regiment,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run  and  Blackburn's  Ford,  serving  throughout  the  Peninsula 
Campaign  with  distinguished  bravery.  Aug.  6th,  1862,  he  was 
again  mustered  into  the  service  as  captain  in  the  34th  Massachu 
setts.  April  20th,  1864,  he  became  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts,  vice  Edward  P.  Hollister  who  had 
previously  resigned.  His  whole  military  career  was  marked  by  a 
fine  sense  of  honor  and  loyal  devotion  to  duty.  Rarely  has  any 
man  of  his  age  acquitted  himself  so  nobly,  winning  praise  from 
his  superiors  and  the  love  and  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  His 
private  character  stood  without  a  blemish,  and  his  example,  in  all 
respects,  is  well  worthy  of  emulation. 

In  a  private  letter  written  by  General  Bartlett,  under  date  of 
June  14th,  1864,  while  absent  in  Washington,  wounded,  he  speaks 
of  the  regiment  and  Colonel  Chandler  as  follows  :  "I  heard  from 
the  regiment  today.  It  has  a  good  reputation  throughout  the 
corps.  All  speak  of  Colonel  Chandler's  splendid  bravery  and 
coolness." 

The  conduct  of  the  regiment  in  this  battle  was  noticed  by  a 
correspondent  at  the  time,  who  says  :  "We  were  at  first  under 
great  apprehension  that  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  a  new 
regiment,  on  the  left  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania,  would  give  back, 
and  if  they  did,  we  were  lost.  Colonel  Leasure  assumed  control  of 
them  and  I  heard  him  say  '  they  fought  like  lions.'  It  was  well 
they  did,  for  all  on  their  left  gave  way,  and,  if  our  line  gave  way, 
the  fate  of  the  day  would  have  been  against  us." 

With  all  due  respect  to  this  correspondent  and  the  gallant 
Colonel  Leasure,  the  author  of  these  pages,  who  was  present 
throughout  the  whole  engagement  in  command  of  a  company  of 
the  Fifty-Seventh,  and  in  a  position  to  know  something  about  who 
its  commander  was,  fails  to  remember  any  such  "  control "  or  to 
observe  where  "  the  fate  of  the  day  "  was  at  all  in  our  favor. 

The  engagement  reflected  credit  upon  the  troops  engaged 
without  distinction  of  regiments,  but  it  was  distressing  to  think 
that  nothing  had  been  accomplished. 

The  condition  of  affairs  at  the  river  did  not  give  promise  of 
any  successful  movement  upon  the  enemy.  The  heavy  rain  had 


NORTH    ANNA   RIVER. 


107 


caused  the  water  to  rise  until  it  was  impossible  to  again  ford  it. 
The  only  way  of  securing  the  safety  of  our  wounded  was  by  ferry 
ing  them  across  the  stream  on  hastily  constructed  rafts,  with 
momentary  expectations  of  another  attack  from  the  enemy  with  a 
force  which  would  have  completely  overwhelmed  us.  If  General 
Lee  had  known  the  true  condition  of  affairs  at  this  point,  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  river,  there  is  little  doubt  but  he  would 
have  made  the  attack.  With  the  two  wings  of  the  Federal  army 
so  widely  separated,  succor  could  not  have  been  obtained  in  time 
to  avert  a  still  greater  disaster  than  the  one  already  experienced. 

All  through  that  dark,  rainy  night  tireless  men  were  working 
the  rafts  to  and  fro  across  the  fast  swelling  stream.  By  morning 
of  the  next  day  all  the  wounded  were  over  and  in  a  place  of 
safety.  Many  had  passed  to  a  place  of  eternal  safety  beyond  the 
silent  river,  and  the  battle  of  North  Anna  river  was  closed. 

There  are  many  names  that  deserve  special  mention.  Many 
who  were  captured  died  as  martyrs  to  the  cause  they  had  espoused 
in  the  prison  pen  of  Andersonville. 

Corp.  Ira  B.  Billiard  of  Sutton,  a  member  of  Company  H, 
and  who  belonged  to  the  color  guard,  was  badly  wounded  and 
subsequently  died  in  Mount  Pleasant  General  Hospital,  Washing 
ton,  D.C.  He  was  a  young  man  of  excellent  character,  and  pos 
sessed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  superior  officers.  The 
following  letter  in  relation  to  him  will,  no  doubt,  be  read  with 
interest  by  his  friends  and  former  comrades. 

HEADQUARTERS  Co.  C,  FIFTY-SEVENTH. 

In  the  field  near  PEGRAM'S  FARM,  VA. 

Oct.  23d,  1864. 
DEAR  .... 

In  reply  to  your  inquiries  about  Ira  B.  Billiard,  I  will  state  that  he 
was  wounded  in  action  May  24th,  at  the  battle  of  North  Anna  river,  and 
afterwards  died  of  wounds  in  hospital  at  Washington.  I  took  him  from 
the  field  in  one  of  my  ambulances.  I  was  attached  to  the  ambulance 
train  at  that  time  ....  I  had  quite  a  long  talk  yesterday  with  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Tucker  about  Ira.  The  Colonel,  you  know,  formerly  com 
manded  Co.  II.  He  said  that  Ira  proved  himself  to  be  an  excellent 
soldier,  both  cool  and  plucky  in  a  fight  and  always  faithful  when  on  duty. 
The  Colonel,  in  speaking  of  his  conduct  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 


108 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


relates  a  circumstance  illustrative  of  his  coolness  under  fire.  His  rifle 
having  become  so  foul  that  he  was  unable  to  discharge  it,  he  quietly  took 
his  wrench  from  his  cartridge  box,  unscrewed  the  cone  upon  which  the 
caps  are  placed,  took  his  primer  and  cleaned  it  out,  then  screwed  it  on 
again  and  blazed  away ;  all  this  under  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry  from  the 
;'  Johnnies." 

I  have  just  been  talking  with  the  color  sergeant.  He  says  of 
Corporal  Bullard  :  "  He  was  the  best  corporal  I  had  on  the  color  guard, 
always  in  his  place  close  to  the  colors.  He  fell  fighting  by  the  old  flag, 
but  gained  the  rear  without  assistance."  A  day  or  two  before  the  fight 
at  North  Anna  River,  Corporal  Bullard  was  quite  sick  and  away  from  the 
regiment  about  half  a  day,  but  this  did  not  suit  him  at  all.  He  joined  the 
color  guard  and  went  in  with  the  regiment.  Many  men  would  have 
taken  advantage  of  their  sickness  to  remain  in  rear,  but  this  was  not  his 
style.  He  made  the  remark  to  the  color  sergeant,  when  he  joined  the 
guard  :  "•  If  I  were  only  well  I  could  do  my  duty,  but  I  want  to  be  with 
the  regiment,  wherever  that  is." 

(Signed)  GEORGE   E.  BARTON. 

The  Worcester  Spy  of  Jan.  31st,  1865,  notices  the  death 
of  Edward  A.  Walton  of  Company  H,  Fifty-Seventh,  who  was 
reported  among  the  missing  in  the  battle  of  North  Anna  and 
pays  the  following  tribute  to  his  memory:  "Another  victim 
of  cruel  treatment  ....  Edward  Alonzo  Walton,  Company  H, 
Fifty-Seventh  Regiment,  Massachusetts  Volunteers.  He  was 
captured  on  the  25th  of  May  last*  and  taken  to  Richmond,  then 
to  Andersonville  in  Georgia,  where  he  remained  three  long,  dreary 
months,  in  which  he  suffered  the  utmost  exposure  and  privations, 
which  he  bore  with  great  patience  in  hopes  of  being  released  or 
exchanged  by  his  government;  but  finding  himself,  with  all  the 
rest,  abandoned  to  his  sad  fate,  with  no  other  hope  but  starvation 
and  death  the  most  cruel,  he  gave  up  in  despair  and  resigned 
himself  to  his  fate,  when  on  or  about  the  10th  of  August,  1864, 
he  died  of  cruel  neglect,  exposure  and  starvation.  He  was  born 
in  West  Boylston,  Oct.  2d,  1835,  and  was  the  son  of  Gilderoy 
and  Dolly  Walton.  He  has  left  a  fond  wife  and  child  who, 
with  his  grief-stricken  parents  and  brothers,  mourn  his  sad  and 
painful  death." 

On  the  24th  of  May,  1864,  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  was  in 
corporated  into  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  remained  a  part  of 


*  Should  be  24th.  —  J.  A. 


NORTH    ANNA    RIVER. 


109 


it  until  the  close  of  the  war.  This  change  was  made  at  the  sug 
gestion  of  General  Burnside  who  was  willing  to  waive  all  consid 
eration  of  rank  and  place  himself  under  the  command  of 
General  Meade.  By  this  arrangement  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
became  an  unit  and  its  movements  made  with  fewer  complications 
than  had  previously  existed,  where  virtually  two  independent 
commands  were  awkwardly  endeavoring  to  work  in  harmony  with 
out  any  real  cohesion. 

The  morning  of  the  25th  found  the  two  armies  face  to  face, 
but  no  engagement  took  place  save  the  constant  firing  along  the 
line  of  pickets.  The  division  (Crittenden's)  was  thrown  forward, 
in  connection  with  the  Fifth  Corps,  under  command  of  General 
Warren,  to  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  Confederate  in- 
trenchments,  in  order  to  develop  their  strength  and  position. 
They  were  found  well  intrenched  on  high  ground  with  a  large 
force  entirely  too  strong  for  attack  with  that  under  General 
Warren.  In  fact  the  advantage  would  have  been  more  in  favor 
of  the  Confederates  had  they  made  an  attack  upon  the  Federal 
force  demonstrating  against  them,  as  they  were  in  a  position 
where  concentration  could  have  been  quickly  made,  while  the 
Federal  force  was  so  widely  scattered  that  it  could  not  have  been 
brought  together  without  crossing  the  river  twice  and  having  a 
much  greater  distance  to  march.  Colonel  Venable  and  Colonel 
Taylor  of  General  Lee's  staff  state  that  an  offensive  move  at  this 
time  was  seriously  contemplated  by  General  Lee  "  had  his  army 
been  of  even  reasonable  proportion  with  that  of  his  adversary." 
Surely  the  "proportion"  against  him  was  not  unreasonable  at 
this  particular  point  where  everything  seemed  in  his  favor  and  to 
invite  an  aggressive  move  upon  his  part.  The  chances  were  that 
he  could,  by  rapid  concentration,  have  thrown  his  whole  force 
upon  the  right  wing  of  the  Federal  army  and  either  defeated  or 
inflicted  a  great  loss  upon  it  before  the  left  could  have  been  brought 
up.  More  particularly  would  such  a  move  seem  imperative  when, 
as  has  been  stated,  he  was  anticipating  a  demonstration  upon  his 
left  flank. 

This  part  of  the  Confederate  line  was  held  by  Hill's  corps 
and  Pickett's  division  that  had  recently  joined  from  the  vicinity 


110  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

of  Petersburg,  after  the  failure  of  the  movement  made  by  General 
Butler  on  the  James  river.  The  position  held  by  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  was  wholly  untenable. 

The  dead  were  buried  upon  the  field,  ponton  bridges  were 
laid  across  the  river,  and  for  the  third  time  in  the  history  of  this 
campaign,  arrangements  were  being  made  for  the  great  flank  and 
turning  movement. 

On  the  26th  the  regiment  crossed  to  the  north  side  without 
molestation  and  again  took  up  the  line  of  march  by  the  left 
flank  in  another  effort  to  interpose  between  General  Lee  and 
Richmond. 

The  regiment  at  this  time  lost  the  services  of  their  fighting 
major,  not  by  death,  but  by  resignation.  He  turned  from  the 
bloody  path  of  war  to  the  quiet  shades  of  peace,  u  beating  his 
sword  into  a  plowshare."  Capt.  Julius  M.  Tucker,  commanding 
Company  H,  being  the  senior  officer  present,  took  command  of 
the  regiment  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to  the  grade  of 
major  and  mustered  as  such  on  the  14th  of  June  following,  later 
to  the  grade  of  lieutenant-colonel. 

The  army  had  lost,  according  to  the  report  of  the  medical 
director,  from  the  21st  to  the  26th  of  May,  2,100  in  wounded. 
A  tabular  statement  shows  that  between  the  23d  and  27th 
of  May,  the  loss  was:  223  killed,  1,460  wounded,  and  290 
missing. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  General  Stevenson,  General  Critten- 
den  arrived  and  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  First,  Division 
of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  and  retained  it  until  after  the  battle  of 
Cold  Harbor. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


COLD    HARBOR. 

N  the  night  of  the  26th,  the  Ninth  Corps  was  with 
drawn  from  the  south  bank  of  the  North  Anna  river, 
recrossing  on  ponton  bridges  covered  with  brush, 
without  being  discovered  by  the  enemy.  The  pon 
tons  were  immediately  taken  up  and  the  march 
commenced  towards  the  Pamunky  river,  about  thirty-two 
miles  distant.  The  infantry  was  preceded  by  two  divi 
sions  of  Sheridan's  cavalry,  followed  by  part  of  the  Sixth  Corps, 
towards  Hanover  Town.  The  Sixth  and  Second  Corps  were 
ordered  to  cross  the  Pamunky  four  miles  above  Hanover  Town, 
and  the  Fifth,  followed  by  the  Ninth  Corps,  was  to  cross  at  that 
place.  The  regiment  was  now  under  command  of  Capt.  J.  M. 
Tucker.  The  march  was  continuous,  day  and  night,  via  Shady 
Grove,  until  the  river  was  reached  and  a  crossing  made  about 
midnight  of  the  28th. 

The  Pamunky  is  a  narrow7,  sluggish  stream,  formed  by  the 
North  and  South  Anna  rivers  and  several  creeks.  Its  banks  are 
heavily  wooded  and  generally  low  and  swampy.  The  smaller 
streams  have  low,  marshy  banks.  There  were  many  roads  that 
seemed  to  wind  around  in  all  directions,  but  none,  except  the  Rich 
mond  stage  road,  were  good,  and  that  was  only  good  in  comparison. 
The  march  was  a  tiresome  one,  as  the  roads  were  muddy  from  the 
recent  heavy  rains.  Some  of  them  were  found  considerably  below 
the  surface  of  the  ground.  Through  swamps,  across  creeks  and 
over  muddy  roads,  the  march  was  continued  until  the  regiment 
reached  the  vicinity  of  Hawes'  shop  on  the  morning  of  the 
29th,  at  which  place  the  Ninth  Corps  was  held  in  reserve,  while 
the  Second,  Fifth  and  Sixth  were  ordered  to  make  reconnoissance 


112 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


in  force ;  the  Second  in  the  direction  of  Richmond  (to  the  south)  ; 
the  Fifth  on  the  Shady  Grove  road  and  the  Sixth  towards  Hanover 
Court  House.  The  Sixth  Corps  met  with  only  small  bodies  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry,  the  Fifth  crossed  Totopotomy  creek,  on  the 
Shady  Grove  Church  road,  and  encountered  only  the  Confederate 
pickets  and  vidette  posts,  which  made  no  resistance  but  promptly 
fell  back  ;  but  the  Second  Corps  (Hancock's)  found  the  enemy 
strongly  posted  in  his  front  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Totopotomy 
creek,  where  it  is  crossed  by  the  direct  road  to  Richmond.  The 
Confederate  force  at  this  point  was  composed  of  the  two  corps  of 
Early  and  Hill,  with  the  force  under  General  Breckenridge.  The 
Confederate  commander  had  discovered  the  withdrawal  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  early  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  and  had 
moved,  with  great  promptness,  to  again  interpose  between  it  and 
Richmond.  Having  the  interior  line  to  march  by,  the  distance 
was  not  so  great ;  hence,  he  was  able  to  anticipate  his  adversary 
and  once  more  plant  himself  squarely  in  front  to  resist  a  further 
advance,  also  time  to  intrench  and  get  his  batteries  into  position ; 
in  fact,  with  everything  in  readiness,  so  that  it  became  plain  that 
another  desperate  battle  would  have  to  be  fought  at  this  point, 
with  no  greater  promise  of  success  than  the  previous  ones  had 
presented,  or  the  flank  movement  continued  until  a  more  favora 
ble  position  could  be  gained.  The  former  alternative  was  decided 
upon  and  arrangements  made  accordingly.  The  whole  of  the 
Second  Corps  was  brought  into  position  and  sharp  skirmishing 
soon  followed.  The  Eighteenth  Corps,  numbering  about  thirteen 
thousand  men,  under  command  of  Maj.-Gen.  W.  F.  Smith,  had 
been  ordered  from  General  Butler's  command  to  join  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  at  Cold  Harbor.  This  was  a  fine  body  of  men, 
composed  largely  of  veteran  regiments.  The  corps  came  by 
transports  around  by  York  river  and  landed  at  the  White  House 
May  30th,  from  which  point  it  was  ordered  to  march  to  New  Cold 
Harbor,  but  through  some  mistake,  the  order  was  given  to  march 
to  New  Castle  on  the  Pamunky.  This  blunder  caused  the 
Eighteenth  Corps  to  march  about  fifteen  miles  out  of  their  way, 
which  delayed  their  arrival  upon  the  field  of  action  until  late 
on  the  afternoon  of  June  1st,  later  than  had  been  anticipated. 


COLD    HARBOR. 


113 


Preparations  were  made  and  orders  issued  for  the  movements 
of  the  30th.  All  the  infantry  was  directed  to  move  up  close  to 
the  enemy.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  to  move  early  in  the  morning 
and  form  on  the  right  of  the  Second,  the  Ninth  Corps  to  form  on 
the  left  of  the  Second  and  the  Fifth  Corps  to  move  along  the 
Shady  Grove  Church  road  to  the  Mechanicsville  Pike  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  Bethesda  Church.  Batteries  were  placed  in  position  in  front 
of  the  Second  Corps,  the  Ninth  moved  as  directed  and  crossed 
the  Totopotomy  after  some  heavy  skirmishing,  the  Fifth  moved 
forward  but  met  with  considerable  opposition.  They  found  the 
enemy,  Early's  corps,  strongly  intrenched  on  the  Mechanicsville 
Pike  three-quarters  of  a  mile  south  of  the  Shady  Grove  Church 
road.  One  brigade  of  Crawford's  division  soon  became  hotly 
engaged,  was  charged  by  Rode's  division  of  Early's  corps  and 
driven  back  to  the  Shady  Grove  Church  road  where,  by  the  aid 
of  a  well  posted  battery,  it  held  the  ground  until  the  remainder  of 
that  division  and  the  Fourth  Division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  could  be 
brought  up.  The  enemy  made  a  vigorous  attack,  but  was  repulsed 
with  heavy  loss.  Colonel  Willis  of  the  12th  Georgia,  who  com 
manded  a  Confederate  brigade,  was  killed.  Also  Colonel  Jewell, 
13th  Virginia,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Watkins,  52d  Virginia,  of 
the  Confederate  army. 

The  Second  Corps  was  ordered  to  attack  that  evening  to  re 
lieve  the  pressure  upon  the  Fifth  Corps.  General  Brooke's  brigade 
of  Barlow's  division  made  a  splendid  charge  and  carried  the  ad 
vanced  line  of  Confederate  rifle  pits,  but  General  Meade  ordered 
the  attack  to  cease  at  that  point.  The  Confederates  were  also 
reinforced  June  1st  by  a  division  from  North  Carolina  and  their 
army  was  strongly  posted  and  intrenched  in  front  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy  river.  The  key  to  the  situation  was  Cold  Harbor,  a  place 
of  no  importance,  except  from  the  many  roads  leading  from  it 
towards  Richmond.  With  this  in  possession  of  the  Confederates, 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  effectually  blocked  from  a  further 
advance.  Longstreet's  corps  covered  the  crossing  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy  from  behind  Cold  Harbor,  occupying  intrenchments  in  a 
heavy  wood  from  which  he  could  guard  all  approaches  to  it.  May 
31st  was  spent  in  maneuvering,  placing  the  different  corps  in  posi- 


114 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


tion  and  heavy  skirmishing  along  the  whole  line.  The  Confederate 
position  was  found  to  be  too  strong  for  a  direct  assault,  and  as 
the  enemy  held  possession  of  Cold  Harbor  with  cavalry  only, 
under  Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee,  General  Sheridan  was  ordered  to 
charge  and  drive  him  out,  which  he  accomplished  with  but  little 
loss.  An  infantry  division  under  command  of  General  Hoke 
came  to  the  support  of  Fitzhugh  Lee.  The  movements  of  both 
armies  were  now  directed  towards  that  point,  and  General  Sheri 
dan  was  ordered  to  hold  it  "  at  all  hazards  "  until  an  infantry 
force  could  be  brought  up.  This  he  succeeded  in  doing.  The 
Confederate  lines  were  also  readjusted  and  Longstreet  brought 
around  to  Early's  right  in  anticipation  of  a  general  attack,  and  to 
checkmate  the  movement  of  the  Sixth  Corps  from  the  Federal 
right  towards  the  left. 

On  the  morning  of  June  1st  General  Kershaw  attacked  Sheri 
dan  at  Cold  Harbor  with  two  brigades  of  infantry,  but  was  finally 
repulsed.  The  Sixth  Corps  soon  arrived  and  rendered  the  posi 
tion  secure.  The  Eighteenth. Corps,  coming  up  later  in  the  day, 
was  ordered  to  take  position  on  the  right  of  the  Sixth,  to  hold  the 
road  running  from  Cold  Harbor  to  Bethesda  Church  and  to  join 
with  the  Sixth  Corps  in  making  the  attack.  The  enemy  was 
strongly  intrenched  and  in  large  force  in  a  heavy  wood,  about 
twelve  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  position  of  the  Sixth  and 
Eighteenth  Corps,  the  intervening  ground  was  mostly  open,  and 
in  order  to  reach  him,  the  lines  had  to  move  forward  across  this 
open  space,  exposed  to  a  destructive  fire  of  musketry  and  artil 
lery.  The  charge  was  made  in  splendid  order  and  the  first  line  of 
intrenchments  carried,  but  the  second  was  found  too  strong  for 
assault,  hence  the  two  corps  remained  in  the  captured  works, 
reconstructing  them  to  meet  any  counter-attack  from  the  enemy. 
The  engagement  was  brief  but  bloody,  the  total  loss  being  over 
two  thousand  killed  and  wounded,  one  regiment  alone,  Second 
Connecticut  Artillery,  losing  53  killed,  187  wounded  and  146 
missing.  The  enemy  also  lost  heavily,  mostly  in  prisoners.  The 
Second  Corps  had  been  ordered  to  take  position  on  the  left  of  the 
Sixth.  In  order  to  do  so  it  had  to  march  a  considerable  distance 
around,  over  and  across  a  network  of  roads  wholly  unknown, 


COLD   HARBOR. 


115 


running  in  all  directions,  through  a  night  of  extreme  darkness  and 
a  day  of  excessive  heat.  Much  delay  and  trouble  was  caused  in 
getting  the  artillery  through  such  a  country  ;  in  consequence,  the 
corps  did  not  reach  position  until  early  on  the  morning  of  the  2d. 
The  different  corps  were  not  in  position  to  make  an  attack  that 
day,  but  preparations  were  made  and  orders  issued  for  a  general 
attack  along  the  whole  line  at  half  past  four  on  the  morning  of 
June  3d. 

In  the  withdrawal  of  the  Ninth  Corps  from  the  trenches  to 
the  new  position  assigned,  the  skirmish  line  was  attacked  by  a 
Confederate  division  and  lost  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  same 
division  gained  the  rear  of  the  Fifth  Corps  skirmish  line  and 
captured  a  number  of  them. 

The  final  disposition,  as  made  for  the  assault,  which  was 
ordered  for  the  morning  of  the  3d,  was  as  follows  :  The  Ninth 
Corps,  holding  the  extreme  right,  was  to  guard  that  flank  and 
support  the  Fifth  in  the  attack ;  following  the  Ninth  from  right 
to  left  the  corps  were  arranged  as  follows :  Fifth,  Eighteenth, 
Sixth  and  Second,  while  two  divisions  of  cavalry  were  to  hold  the 
lower  crossings  of  the  Chickahominy  and  two  divisions  to  operate 
on  the  right  flank.  The  line  as  thus  formed  was  nearly  six  miles 
in  length;  that  part  held  by  the  Ninth  Corps  being  extended  to 
cover  so  much  ground,  was  hardly  more  than  a  heavy  skirmish 
line  and  could  scarcely  hope  for  success  in  charging  over  breast 
works  defended  by  a  strong  force  of  infantry  and  artillery. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d,  as  the  first  ray  of  light  appeared 
above  the  eastern  horizon,  the  men  were  on  their  feet  and  lines 
were  being  formed  for  another  desperate  grapple  with  the  Con 
federate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

The  spirit  which  had  heretofore  animated  our  troops  did  not 
seem  as  buoyant  this  morning  as  usual.  The  strength  of  the 
enemy's  line  had  been  tested  by  slight  taps  along  its  whole  length 
and  not  a  weak  spot  had  been  found.  For  every  thump  it  had 
received  it  had  given  a  blow  in  return.  While  there  was  a  loyal 
obedience  of  orders  and  an  unflinching  devotion  to  duty,  yet  all 
seemed  to  feel  that  there  was  desperate  work  in  front  of  them, 
that  the  slaughter  would  be  great  and  the  result,  at  best,  was 


116 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


doubtful.  The  stubborn  facts  as  presented  held  out  no  promise 
calculated  to  raise  their  confidence.  It  was  not  that  the  spirit 
of  the  grand  old  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  broken,  but  they  were 
men  of  reason  and  knew  what  was  before  them.  When  the  orders 
came  to  move  the  line  swept  forward  and  struck  the  Confederate 
intrenchments  as  an  ocean  billow  lashed  by  the  storm  dashes 
against  the  rocky  coast,  only  to  be  broken  and  rolled  back  by  the 
torrent  of  shot  and  shell,  grape  and  canister,  that  poured  full  in 
their  faces.  The  action  was  of  short  duration.  The  receding 
line  bore  no  marks  of  disgrace,  but  carried  back  to  the  pages  of 
history  a  record  which  will  forever  stand  a  monument  to  American 
valor.  The  Second  Corps  upon  the  left  gained  considerable 
advantage  at  first,  dislodging  the  enemy  from  his  position  in  the 
first  line  of  trenches,  capturing  several  hundred  prisoners,  one  or 
two  stands  of  colors  and  three  guns.  The  latter  were  immediately 
turned  upon  the  enemy.  This  victory  was  only  temporary.  The 
second  line  failed  to  come  up  and  this  division  of  the  Second 
Corps  (Barlow's)  was  soon  dislodged  in  turn  by  the  enemy  who 
quickly  made  a  counter-charge,  after  having  been  heavily  rein 
forced.  General  Gibbon's  division  of  the  Second  Corps  advanced 
at  the  same  time  with  Barlow's,  but  encountered  an  almost  im 
passable  swamp  in  front,  which  separated  them.  However,  they 
succeeded,  after  much  difficulty  and  some  delay,  in  floundering 
through  and  advanced  under  a  terrific  fire  close  to  the  enemy's 
works,  but  were  unable  to  hold  possession  of  them.  The  gallant 
Colonel  McMahon  even  mounted  the  rebel  parapet  and  planted 
the  colors  of  his  regiment  upon  it,  but  almost  instantly  fell, 
mortally  wounded.  The  slaughter  at  this  point  was  simply 
murderous. 

The  Sixth  and  Eighteenth  Corps  fared  no  better  and  gained 
no  more.  They  did  all  that  brave  men  could  do,  more  even  than 
could  have  been  reasonably  expected  under  the  circumstances. 
They  succeeded  in  holding  an  advanced  position  much  nearer 
the  enemy,  which  they  held  and  intrenched. 

The  Fifth  Corps  was  extended  in  such  a  thin  line  that  it  was 
entirely  hopeless  to  attempt  anything  beyond  holding  its  own 
line  intact. 


COLD   HARBOR. 


117 


Two  divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps  (Potter's  and  Wilcox's) 
moved  forward  on  the  right  and  took  the  rifle  pits  occupied  by  the 
troops  under  General  Early  and  established  themselves  near  his 
main  line.  The  whole  corps  was  to  charge  at  one  o'clock  upon 
the  main  works.  It  was  expected  by  that  time  our  batteries 
would  be  able  to  silence  those  of  the  enemy  that  held  a  raking, 
enfilading  fire  upon  our  lines.  It  was  found  that  our  guns  could 
not  be  placed  in  a  position  to  do  this,  hence  the  order  was 
countermanded  just  as  the  line  of  skirmishers  was  moving  forward 
to  the  attack.  Soon  after  this  Early  made  an  attack  upon  the 
Ninth  Corps  but  was  repulsed.  General  Burnside,  assisted  by 
one  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  (Griffin's),  made  an  attack  upon 
Early  and  drove  him  some  distance  beyond  the  Shady  Grove 
Church  road.  The  Confederates  under  General  Gordon  made 
an  attack  upon  the  Fifth  Corps  but  were  repulsed. 

The  Ninth  Corps  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  about  eight 
hundred,  while  the  Fifth  lost  only  about  half  that  number. 

In  General  Early 's  report  of  this  affair  he  is  quoted  as  hav 
ing  said:  "There  were  repeated  attacks  on  Rode's  and  Heth's 
fronts  on  the  third,  those  on  Cook's  brigade  of  Heth's  division 

being  especially  heavy,  but  all  of  them  were  repulsed It 

was  necessary  that  Heth's  division  should  join  its  corps  on  the 
right,  as  my  flank,  in  this  position,  was  very  much  exposed.  I 
withdrew  at  the  close  of  the  day  to  the  line  previously  occupied, 
and  next  morning  Heth  moved  to  the  right." 

Any  further  attempts  to  assault  the  Confederate  lines  would 
have  resulted  in  additional  disaster.  The  loss  to  the  Federal 
army  in  this  engagement  amounted  to  about  eight  thousand  killed 
and  wounded,  about  four-fifths  of  which  fell  upon  the  Second, 
Sixth  and  Eighteenth  Corps,  the  other  two,  Fifth  and  Ninth,  not 
being  so  heavily  engaged,  did  not  lose  so  many.  The  Confed 
erate  loss  was  not  nearly  as  great.  It  was  estimated  at  less  than 
one  thousand. 

After  such  an  important  engagement  one  naturally  asks  after 
the  result,  to  know  what  has  been  accomplished  at  such  an  im 
mense  cost,  and  the  object  of  it.  The  latter  question  has  been 
answered  heretofore,  viz.  :  to  turn  Lee's  right  flank  and  cut  him  off 


118 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


from  Richmond.  This  was  far  from  being  accomplished,  but  the 
Federal  army  held  the  position  of  Cold  Harbor,  from  which  it 
could  proceed  by  any  of  the  roads  diverging  from  there,  except 
those  occupied  by  General  Lee.  Those  were  effectually  closed 
against  us,  unless  we  trod  them  as  prisoners  of  war,  which  we 
were  not  disposed  to  do. 

The  base  of  supplies  had  been  changed  from  Fredericks  - 
burg  to  the  White  House  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  York 
river. 

A  brief  description  of  this  battle,  with  the  effect  it  had  upon 
the  Confederate  army,  is  given  by  Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee  in  his 
life  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee.  He  says:  "  There  has  been  no  instance 
of  such  destructive  firing,  attended  with  such  small  loss  to  the 

men  who  were  shooting  from  stationary  lines Death  and 

destruction  'everywhere  enveloped  charging  columns,  and  direct 
and  cross  fires  tore  them  to  pieces In  front  of  the  Con 
federate  defenses  the  scene  was  heartrending.  The  ground  was 

strewn  with  the  dead,  dying  and  wounded  Federals In 

an  incredibly  short  time  twelve  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
thirty- seven  of  their  number  had  dropped  from  their  ranks.  Who 
knew  how  many  would  fail  to  answer  roll  call  after  another  at 
tack?"  The  same  author  further  states:  "After  the  battle 
of  Cold  Harbor,  Lee  had  such  confidence  in  his  ability  to  keep 
Grant  from  getting  closer  to  Richmond,  that  he  detached  Breck- 
enridge  to  meet  Hunter,  who  having  defeated  the  small  Confed 
erate  force  in  the  valley,  under  W.  E.  Jones,  was  advancing  via 
Staunton  and  Lynchburg.  On  the  13th  he  sent  Early  with  the 
Second  Corps  (Ewell's) ,  eight  thousand  muskets  and  twenty-four 
pieces  of  artillery,  to  join  him." 

It  has  been  stated  so  often  and  believed  by  many,  some  even 
who  presume  to  write  history,  that  after  the  defeat  and  slaughter 
of  the  early  morning  of  the  3d,  General  Grant  ordered  another 
assault  along  the  whole  line,  that  this  order  was  transmitted  down 
through  the  different  corps  commanders  to  the  rank  and  file,  but 
that  the  men  remained  silent  and  motionless  and  would  not  move 
in  obedience  to  this  order.  This  is  a  slander  upon  that  gallant 
old  Army  of  the  Potomac  whose  record  was  second  to  none 


COLD    HARBOK.  119 

that  ever  trod  the  North  American  continent.  For  over  three 
long  bloody  years  that  army  had  passed  through  battles  and  cam 
paigns  under  different  leaders,  had  suffered  disaster  and  defeat 
through  no  fault  of  its  own.  Its  path  could  be  traced  by  bleach 
ing  bones  and  nameless  graves  all  the  way  from  the  Susquehanna 
to  the  banks  of  the  James.  Standing  under  the  glory  of  such  a 
record,  it  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  they  would  tarnish  it 
by  a  refusal  to  obey  orders,  neither  is  it  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  by  a  concert  of  understanding,  without  previous  conference, 
the  whole  army  should  act  as  one  man  in  such  an  important  mat 
ter.  We  were  in  command  of  a  company  in  the  First  Brigade, 
First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  were  present  in  this  en 
gagement  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  and  for  days  and  months 
afterwards,  yet  we  had  no  knowledge  of  any  such  order  having 
been  issued.  Had  it  been,  it  would  have  been  obeyed,  even  if  the 
last  man  had  fallen  in  its  execution.  There  is  no  record  to  show 
that  such  an  order  was  ever  issued.  Gen.  Andrew  A.  Humphreys, 
author  of  the  valuable  work  entitled  "The  Virginia  Campaign  of 
1864  and  18G5,"  and  to  whom  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  much 
information  and  data,  makes  no  mention  of  such  an  order.  As 
he  was  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  the  time,  he 
was  certainly  in  a  position  to  know  and  would,  beyond  question, 
have  published  it,  had  it  been  so.  There  may  be  some  good 
grounds  for  stating  that  General  Grant  seriously  contemplated 
issuing  such  an  order,  but  was  prevailed  upon  by  his  corps  com 
manders,  in  whom  he  had  implicit  confidence,  to  withhold  it. 

In  speaking  of  this  affair  in  his  memoirs,  General  Grant 
says  :  "  Hancock  gave  the  opinion  that,  in  his  front,  the  enemy 
was  too  strong  to  make  any  further  assault  promise  success. 
Wright  thought  he  could  obtain  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  but  it 
would  require  the  co-operation  of  Hancock's  and  Smith's  Corps. 
Smith  thought  a  lodgment  possible,  but  was  not  sanguine. 
Burnside  thought  something  could  be  done  in  his  front,  but  War 
ren  differed.  I  concluded,  therefore,  to  make  no  more  assaults 
and  a  little  after  twelve,  directed,  in  the  following  letter,  that  all 
offensive  action  should  cease  :  "  — 


120 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


COLD  HARBOR,  June  3,  1864. 

12.30  P.M. 
MAJOR-GENERAL  MEADE, 

Commanding  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

The  opinion  of  corps  commanders  not  being  sanguine  of  success  in 
case  an  assault  is  ordered,  you  may  direct  a  suspension  of  further  ad 
vance  at  present.  Hold  our  most  advanced  positions  and  strengthen 
them.  Whilst  on  the  defensive  our  line  may  be  contracted  from  the  right, 
if  practicable.  Reconnoissances  should  be  made  in  front  of  every  corps 
and  advances  made  to  advantageous  positions  by  regular  approaches. 

To  aid  the  expedition  of  General  Hunter  it  is  necessary  to  detain  all 
the  enemy  now  with  Lee  until  the  former  gets  well  on  his  way  to  Lynch- 
burg.  To  do  this  effectually  it  will  be  better  to  keep  the  enemy  out  of 
the  intrenchments  of  Richmond  than  to  have  them  go  back  there. 
Wright  and  Hancock  should  be  ready  for  assault  in  case  the  enemy 
should  break  through  General  Smith's  lines  and  all  should  be  ready  to 
resist  an  assault. 

The  two  lines  were  crowded  close  together  and  the  firing  con 
tinuous  on  both  sides.  The  Federal  army  was  badly  bruised  and 
bleeding.  The  men  could  look  across  at  the  strong,  invulnerable 
lines  of  Confederate  intrenchments.  They  could  see  their  own 
dead  and  wounded  comrades  stretched  upon  the  ground  between 
the  two  opposing  lines,  exposed  to  the  burning  heat  of  a  Southern 
sun,  and  it  must  be  said,  they  felt  no  disposition  to  renew  the 
charge,  where  not  only  reason,  but  bitter  experience,  told  them 
it  would  only  result  in  adding  more  victims  to  the  ghastly  array 
before  them  ;  yet  the  men  began  to  think  more  seriously  and  ask  the 
question  where  all  this  would  end.  While  they  were  willing  to 
take  chances,  yet  the  bravest  would  like  to  see  some  in  their 
favor.  The  chances  of  another  charge  presented  none. 

The  blue  line  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  had  been 
growing  shorter  and  shorter.  Looking  at  the  fine  body  of  men, 
928,  that  had  marched  out  of  the  city  of  Worcester  on  that  bright 
April  day,  less  than  two  months  before,  and  looking  at  it  now 
with  barely  men  enough  to  make  two  companies,  and  companies 
reduced  to  mere  squads,  formed  pictures  that  stood  in  sad  con 
trast.  The  retrospective  could  be  traced  in  mournful  lines  through 
the  gloomy  Wilderness  and  over  every  battlefield  down  to  Cold 
Harbor.  Scarcely  a  da}7  but  men  had  fallen  from  the  ranks  under 


COLD    HARBOR.  121 

the  dark  shadow  of  death,  to  struggle  against  sickness  and  starva 
tion  or  to  drag  mangled  forms  through  the  coming  days  of  their 
human  existence. 

It  required  no  imagination  to  portray  all  this ;  only  listen  to 
the  sergeant  calling  the  roll  and  it  told  the  story  in  language  that 
could  not  be  disputed.  What  was  in  store  for  us  next?  When 
would  the  long  desired  end  come,  and  what  had  we  gained  ?  Only 
to  the  last  question  could  one  formulate  an  answer,  and  that  was 
anything  but  satisfactory.  We  had  gained  no  glorious  victory, 
neither  had  we  suffered  a  disastrous  defeat.  The  situation  seemed 
much  the  same  as  in  the  beginning,  save  that  the  regiment  had 
faded  away  with  greater  rapidity  than  it  had  been  recruited,  and 
there,  squarely  before  us,  stood  the  Confederate  army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  with  its  indomitable  leader,  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee,  still  at  its 
head  and  confronting  us  as  defiantly  as  on  the  first  day  in  the 
Wilderness. 

The  night  after  the  battle  wre  were  detailed  for  picket  duty 
and  had  to  move  out  in  front  of  our  own  works,  under  such  cover 
as  could  be  found,  or  none  at  all.  Every  man  who  could  sought 
the  friendly  side  of  some  protecting  tree,  and  from  such  positions 
continued  to  fire  at  the  opposing  pickets  throughout  the  night. 
There  was  no  cessation,  no  rest.  The  picket  lines  were  not  more 
than  fifty  yards  apart.  A  change  of  position  was  extremely 
hazardous.  Under  such  circumstances  it  does  not  take  a  man 
long  to  improvise  some  kind  of  shelter,  even  if  he  has  to  dig  a 
hole  in  the  ground  with  fingers  that  never  delved  in  mother  earth 
before.  One  Confederate  posted  behind  a  tree  directly  in  front 
seemed  to  feel  particularly  ugly  and  annoying,  and  kept  busy 
all  the  time  loading  and  firing  from  behind  it.  Finally,  as  he 
reached  around  to  fire,  the  crack  of  a  rifle  was  heard  a  few  feet 
from  our  left  and  he  fell  to  the  ground  never  to  rise  again.  Some 
evidently  thought  he  was  "playing  possum"  in  order  to  get  a 
better  shot  at  a  new  victim ;  hence,  he  became  a  target  for  a 
score  or  more  of  Federal  muskets.  When  our  line  advanced  the 
next  morning  he  was  found  riddled  with  more  than  a  hundred 
bullets.  After  the  first  shot  it  little  recked  to  him,  poor  fellow, 
whether  it  were  a  hundred  or  a  million.  He  had  passed  beyond 


122 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


being  an  enemy,  and  one  could  not  help  thinking  that  he,  too,  had 
loved  ones  in  some  Southern  home,  who  were  anxiously  hoping 
and  praying  for  his  safe  return,  —  perhaps  little  ones  saying  ' '  God 
bless  papa  "  in  their  evening  prayers.  Oh  !  cruel,  relentless  war, 
that  transforms  men  made  after  the  image  of  a  merciful  God  into 
fiends  incarnate,  revelling  in  the  gory  dance  of  death.  Both 
sides  claimed  to  be  engaged  in  a  righteous  cause  and  fervently 
prayed  for  aid  and  protection  from  Him  who  pronounced  ' '  Peace 
on  earth,  good  will  toward  men."  Could  one  straggling  ray  of 
Christian  light  have  penetrated  the  darkness  of  this  diabolical 
scene,  it  would  seem  that  the  stormy  cloud  of  war  would  have 
been  lifted.  But  if  all  the  prayers  had  been  answered,  the  condi 
tion  of  affairs  would  have  become  still  more  complicated.  More 
unreasonable  they  seemed  than  those  offered  by  the  Greeks  and 
Trojans  at  the  siege  of  Troy,  for  those  possessed  the  consistency 
of  petitioning  different  gods,  who  were  more  or  less  interested  on 
one  side  or  the  other,  or  whose  special  care  it  was  to  keep  vigil 
over  some  favored  one.  It  was  fully  demonstrated  here  that 
"  Man's  inhumanity  to  man  makes  countless  millions  mourn." 

During  the  night,  under  cover  of  darkness,  men  stealthily 
crawled  over  the  breastworks,  out  among  the  dead  and  dying,  to 
bring  in  some  wounded  comrade  to  a  place  of  safety.  In  this  way 
most  of  the  wounded  were  brought  in,  but  many  fell  themselves 
in  the  perilous  undertaking. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d,  the  Fifty-Seventh  supported  a 
battery  (Wright's  14th  Massachusetts  Light,  we  think),  which 
was  posted  in  a  commanding  position,  and  rendered  effective 
service  in  repelling  a  charge  of  the  enemy. 

One  reckless  young  fellow  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  was  curious 
to  watch  the  artillery  fire  which  was  going  on  between  this  battery 
and  one  of  the  enemy's,  which  was  posted  in  the  woods  about 
half  a  mile  distant.  For  the  purpose  of  better  observation  he 
seated  himself  upon  a  rotten  stump  and  was  evidently  greatly 
interested  in  the  artillery  duel.  He  was  several  times  cautioned 
that  he  was  in  a  dangerous  place  and  advised  not  to  expose  him 
self  needlessly,  but  to  lie  down  with  the  others.  He  boastingly 
remarked  that  the  shot  had  not  been  made  that  could  hit  him. 


COLD    HARBOR. 


123 


Just  that  instant  a  solid  shot  struck  the  stump,  smashing  it  in 
pieces  and  letting  the  fellow  to  the  ground  so  suddenly  that  for 
some  seconds  he  believed  he  had  actually  been  hit. 

While  lying  behind  the  works  in  front  of  the  enemy,  an  inci 
dent  occurred  characteristic  of  the  brave  Captain  Doherty.  A 
man  of  his  company  had  been  slightly  wounded  and  started  to 
the  rear,  another  man  started  out  to  assist  him.  Calling  the 
latter  back,  Captain  Doherty  took  him  over  in  front  of  the  line  of 
breastworks,  where  both  were  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy, 
and  gave  him  a  little  drill  in  the  manual  of  arms,  then  facing 
him  about,  he  marched  him  back  again ;  the  Captain  in  the 
meantime  having  received  two  or  three  bullet  holes  through  his 
clothing. 

The  casualties  in  the  Fifty-Seventh  were  not  as  great  in  this 
engagement  as  in  the  previous  ones,  for  the  reason  that  the 
regiment  did  not  have  as  many  men  to  lose  and  was  not  so 
heavily  engaged. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  casualties :  one  officer,  Lieut. 
George  S.  Greene,  and  six  enlisted  men  wounded  and  two  missing, 
viz.  :  — 

WOUNDED. 

Patrick  Flynn,  Pvt.       Co.  A       Benjamin  F.  Williams,  Corp.  Co.  D 

Martin  Maher,  "  "          Peter  J.  Mambert,          Pvt.        " 

A.  J.  Trussell,  William  Shaftoe,    1st  Sergt.  Co.  K 

MISSING. 

Charles  S.  Morse,  Pvt.  Co.  K  (Died  of  wounds  Nov.  30,  1864.) 
Vernon  Smith,  Pvt.  Co.  K  (Died  March  9,  1865,  at  Andersonville.) 

The  casualties  in  the  Confederate  army  during  this  engage 
ment  are  not  given,  but  are  reported  very  small.  According  to 
the  tabular  statement  of  the  "Medical  and  Surgical  History  of 
the  War,"  for  a  period  covering  from  the  1st  to  the  12th  of  June, 
during  which  time  the  only  important  engagement  was  Cold 
Harbor,  the  killed  and  wounded  were  fifteen  hundred,  missing, 
five  hundred.  General  Grant's  opinion  of  this  battle  can  well  be 
expressed  by  a  remark  that  he  is  reported  to  have  made  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  that  it  was  the  only  battle  he  had  ever  fought 
that  he  would  not  have  fought  again  under  the  circumstances.  The 


124 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


fact  was,  that  General  Lee  held  a  stronger  defensive  position  than 
in  any  of  the  other  battles.  The  swamps,  woods,  rivers,  hills  and 
creeks  all  worked  to  his  advantage ;  or  it  might  be  said  that  he 
possessed  the  military  ability  of  knowing  how  to  take  advantage 
of  them  all.  The  farther  he  was  forced  back  the  stronger  he 
became  by  reason  of  being  nearer  his  base  of  supplies,  with 
shorter  lines  of  communication  and  fewer  outposts  to  guard.  As 
all  these  outlying  detachments  were  drawn  in,  they  joined  the 
main  army.  In  the  one  month's  campaign  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  had  suffered  a  loss  of  nearly  (if  not  quite)  forty 
thousand  men.  Whether  the  results  obtained  had  been  sufficient 
to  justify  such  a  sacrifice  is  a  matter  which  military  critics  will 
never  agree  upon.  It  is  easier  to  criticise  a  movement  after  it  has 
been  made  and  the  results  known,  than  before.  However  critics 
may  criticise,  one  thing  is  evident,  that  there  would  be  fewer  of 
them  if  they  had  been  in  the  front  line  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  from  the  Rapidan  to  the  James. 

The  next  day  (June  4th)  active  operations  were  not  resumed 
beyond  an  incessant  skirmish  firing  along  the  whole  line,  in  which 
every  human  figure  that  appeared  in  sight  of  the  enemy  became  a 
target  for  a  hundred  muskets.  On  the  6th  the  enemy  made  one 
or  two  feeble  assaults  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  strength 
and  position  of  the  Federal  army,  but  with  no  serious  purpose  of 
an  attack.  About  midnight  of  the  6th  a  heavy  charge  was  made 
upon  the  position  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  which  was  repulsed,  and 
thus  the  two  armies  remained  in  nearly  the  same  relative  positions 
until  the  12th.  The  scene  between  the  two  lines  was  perfectly 
sickening,  even  to  men  accustomed  to  the  horrors  of  the  battle 
field.  The  dead  remained  unburied  and  were  scattered  thickly 
over  the  ground,  while  most  of  those  who  had  been  wounded,  and 
not  removed  by  their  comrades  at  the  great  risk  of  their  own 
lives,  had  been  wantonly  killed  by  Confederate  sharpshooters  or 
had  died  from  exposure  and  lack  of  care  and  comfort  of  any 
kind.  Their  bodies  had  turned  black  and  putrid  and  were 
swollen  beyond  recognition.  Added  to  this  the  carcasses  of  dead 
horses  and  mules  were  scattered  through  the  woods  and  swamps. 
The  weather  was  extremely  warm ;  the  malaria  arising  from  the 


COLD  HARBOR. 


125 


swamps  and  the  odor  from  the  fast  decomposing  bodies  were 
almost  unendurable,  and  were  already  causing  considerable  sick 
ness.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  army  could  not  remain 
long  in  its  present  position,  the  line  between  the  living  and  the 
dead  was  narrowing  day  by  day.  On  the  evening  of  the  5th 
General  Grant  proposed  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  the  purpose 
of  burying  the  dead,  but  the  proposition  was  not  agreed  to  until 
the  afternoon  of  the  7th,  when  a  truce  from  six  to  eight  in  the 
evening  was  agreed  upon,  and  the  dead  were  buried  where  they 
fell.  Very  few  of  the  wounded  were  found  living.  The  truce 
was  not  wholly  respected  on  the  right  of  the  line  opposite  the 
Ninth  Corps  where  intermittent,  desultory  firing  continued  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  render  it  unsafe  to  risk  exposure.  Fitzhugh  Lee 
admits  that  their  men  were  "  hungry  and  mad."  The  latter  may 
be  a  good  qualification  to  possess  in  actual  battle,  but  hardly 
commendable  at  such  a  time. 

Badeau  says  a  correspondence  was  carried  on  between 
General  Grant  and  General  Lee  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities  for 
the  purpose  of  burying  the  dead  and  removing  the  wounded, 
which  lasted  forty- eight  hours,  General  Grant  appealing  in  the 
name  of  humanity  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  wounded  of  both 
sides,  but  that  General  Lee  was  slow  in  accepting  any  such 
proposition. 

Badeau  further  says :  ' '  The  Ninth  Corps  had  really  made 
more  progress  than  any  other  portion  of  the  army,  and  Burnside's 
dispositions  for  a  further  advance  were  all  arranged.  He  had 
suggested  to  Wilson  on  his  right  to  move  from  the  opposite  side 
of  the  Totopotomy  and  attack  the  enemy  in  rear,  and  his  own 
orders  to  advance  were  already  given,  when  the  command  to 
suspend  further  operations  arrived.  Wilson,  however,  had  turned 
the  enemy's  left  and  taken  a  number  of  prisoners  before  he 
became  aware  of  the  change  of  orders.  Early  in  the  afternoon 
the  rebels  opened  a  furious  fusilade  on  the  right  of  Burnside, 
under  cover  of  which  they  attempted  to  haul  off  their  batteries  by 
means  of  prolonges,  but  were  prevented  by  Potter's  fire.  During 
the  night  they  withdrew  from  Burnside's  front,  leaving  their  dead 
unburied  and  some  of  their  wounded  on  the  field." 


126 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Both  the  Federals  and  Confederates  continued  to  strengthen 
their  defenses,  the  latter  keeping  close  vigil  upon  the  movements 
of  the  former,  anticipating  just  what  actually  did  take  place, 
another  move  by  the  left  flank,  at  the  inception  of  which  Lee 
hoped  to  be  able  to  strike  a  heavy  blow  upon  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  taking  it  at  a  disadvantage,  as  it  moved  out  of  the 
trenches.  General  Grant,  in  the  meantime,  seemed  to  have  a 
better  understanding  of  his  adversary,  and  while  making  all 
arrangements  for  the  anticipated  flank  movement,  did  not  conceive 
that  it  could  be  done  without  his  (Lee's)  knowledge,  but  had 
made  every  disposition  not  to  be  surprised  himself  and  to  guard 
against  all  such  attacks  as  Lee  might  contemplate.  To  move  an 
army  of  this  size  by  the  flank,  through  such  a  difficult  country,  in 
face  of  an  enemy  flushed  with  what  he  conceived  to  be  a  great 
victory,  was  a  task  requiring  the  highest  military  talent,  but 
General  Grant  possessed  it  to  an  admirable  degree,  and  accom 
plished  it  successfully,  as  the  following  pages  will  show. 

On  the  llth  of  June,  General  Meade  issued  the  following 
order,  which  is  copied  verbatim  in  order  that  the  reader  may  be 
able  to  arrive  at  a  better  understanding  of  the  events  that 
followed. 

HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

June  11,  1864. 
ORDERS. 

The  following  movements  are  ordered  :  — 

1.  At  dark  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant,  Brigadier- General 
Wilson  will  move  the  brigade  of  cavalry,  picketing  the  Chickahominy 
across  the  swamp  at  Long  Bridge,  or  that  vicinity,  and  out  on  the  Long 
Bridge  road  towards  the  crossing  of  White  Oak  Swamp  and  toward  the 
Charles  City  Central   and   Newmarket  roads.     The   brigade   will   move 
promptly  and  clear  the  road  for  the  Fifth  Corps. 

The  pickets  at  the  crossings  of  the  Chickahominy  will  remain  until 
relieved  by  infantry  pickets. 

2.  During  Saturday,  the  llth  instant,  Major-General  Warren  will 
move  the  two  divisions  of  his  corps,  now  held  in  reserve,  to  Moody's,  by 
way  of  Parsley's  mill  and  Prospect  Church,  etc.,  so  as  to  avoid  the  obser 
vation  of  the  enemy.     At  dark  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant  he  will 
move  his  whole  corps  to  Long  Bridge  by  the  shortest  route  across  the 
Chickahominy,  and  move  on  the  road  to  White  Oak  Swamp  Bridge  (called 
Long  Bridge  road)  and  hold  that  road,  looking  towards  the  crossing  of 


COLD    HARBOR.  127 

White  Oak  Swamp  and  Charles  City  Central  and  Newmarket  roads, 
during  the  passage  of  the  army  towards  the  James  river.  He  will  follow 
the  Second  Corps  towards  Charles  City  Court  House.  General  Warren 
will  picket  the  crossings  of  the  Chickahominy  on  his  flank  while  moving 
to  Long  Bridge,  relieving  the  cavalry  pickets. 

3.  Major- General  W.  F.  Smith,  Eighteenth  Corps,  will  withdraw 
as  soon  after  dark  as  practicable,  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant  and 
move   by   way  of   Parsley's  mill,  Prospect   Church,    Hopeville   Church, 
Tunstall's  Station  to  White  House,  where  he  will  embark  and  proceed  to 
Bermuda  Hundred.    Upon  reaching  Tunstall's  Station  his  artillery  and 
trains  will  join  the  main  trains  of  the  army. 

4.  Major-General  Burnside,  Ninth  Corps,  will  withdraw  as    soon 
after  dark  as  practicable  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant,  and  move  by 
way  of  Allen's  mill  (or  by  roads  avoiding  Smith's  route),  then  north  of 
the  south  fork  of  the  Matadequin  to  Burtin's,  then  past  Hughes',  Watt's, 
Clapton's,  Turner's  Store,  etc.,  to  Tunstall's  Station,  or  by  any  adjoining 
route,  avoiding  Smith's,  that  may  be  found  at  Tunstall's  Station. 

At  Tunstall's  Station  the  corps  of  General  Smith  has  precedence. 
When  it  has  cleared  the  way,  General  Burnside  will  move  to  Jones' 
Bridge,  taking  care  not  to  interfere  with  routes  of  other .  corps,  past 
Baltimore  crossroads  and  Emman's  Church.  Where  the  routes  of  the 
Sixth  and  Ninth  Corps  unite,  about  three  miles  from  Jones'  Bridge,  the 
corps  that  reaches  the  point  first  will  have  precedence. 

After  crossing  at  Jones'  Bridge,  Major-General  Burnside  will  take 
the  route  passing  east  of  Charles  City  Court  House  by  Vandorn's,  Clapton's 
and  Tyler's  mill. 

5.  Major-General   Wright,  Sixth   Corps,   will   withdraw   as   soon 
after  dark  as  practicable  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant,  to  the  in 
trenched  line  in  his  rear,  from  Allen's  Pond  to  Elder's  Swamp,  and  in 
conjunction  with  the  Second  Corps  hold  that  line  until  the  roads  for  the 
Second  and  Sixth  Corps  are  well  cleared  by  the  Fifth  Corps,  when  the 
two  corps  will  withdraw. 

General  Wright  will  move  by  way  of  Cool  Arbor,  Taylor's,  J.  P. 
Parsley's,  Widow  Vias',  Good's  and  Hopkins'  mill  to  Moody's,  and  thence 
by  way  of  Emman's  Church  to  Jones'  Bridge,  preceding  or  following  the 
Ninth  Corps,  as  already  indicated,  when  the  routes  unite. 

After  crossing  the  Chickahominy,  General  Wright  will  take  the 
route  to  Charles  City  Court  House  by  Yandorn's. 

6.  Major-General  Hancock,  Second  Corps,  will  withdraw  as  soon 
after  dark  as  practicable,  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant,  to  the  in 
trenched  line  in  his  rear  from  Allen's  Pond  to  Elder's  Swamp,  and  hold 
that  line  in  conjunction   with  the  Sixth  Corps  until  the  roads  for  the 
Second  and  Sixth  Corps  are  well  cleared,  when  he  will  move  by  routes  in 
his  rear  to  the  Despatch  Station  road,  avoiding  the  roads  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  and  by  Despatch  Station,  and  the  shortest  route  to  Long  Bridge. 


128 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


He  will  look  out  for  the  crossings  of  the  Chickahominy  on  his  flanks 
while  passing. 

After  crossing  the  Chickahominy,  General  Hancock  will  move 
towards  Charles  City  Court  House  by  way  of  Saint  Mary's  church, 
Walker's,  etc. 

7.  Brigadier-General  Ferrero  will  move  his  division  at  dark  on  the 
evening  of  the  12th  instant,  to  the  trains  of  the  army  near  White  House 
or  Cumberland,  and  cover  them  during  the  movement. 

8.  The  trains  will  move  to   the   Window   Shades   and   cross   the 
Chickahominy  in  that  vicinity. 

They  will  take  such  routes  as  will  not  interfere  with  the  movements 
of  the  troops. 

9.  The  brigade  of  cavalry  on  the  right  will  withdraw  at  the  same 
time  as  the  Sixth  and  Second  Corps  and  close  in  on  the  rear  of  the  army 
and  cover  it  and  the  trains  during  the  movement. 

10.  Corps  commanders  will  see  that  every  precaution  is  taken  to 
insure   the   rapid   execution   of   this   movement,  and   that  troops   move 
promptly  and  quickly  on  the  march. 

11.  Headquarters   during  the   movement  will   be   at   Pollard's   or 
Cedar  Grove,  near  Long  Bridge,  and  until  established  there,  will  be  on 
the  route  of  the  Sixth  Corps  as  far  as  Emman's  Church. 

12.  Eight  canvas  and  eight  wooden  pontons  will  accompany  the 
Fifth  Corps  to  Long  Bridge. 

The  engineers  will  establish  bridges  at  Jones'  bridge  with  the  re 
maining  eight  canvas  pontons  and  the  wooden  pontons  of  the  Sixth 
Corps.  The  wooden  pontons  of  the  Second  Corps  will  accompany  the 
main  train  of  the  army. 

13.  The  pickets  of  the   several  corps   will  be  withdrawn  at   the 
same  hour  from  the  line  of  intrenchments  before  daylight  of  the  13th 
instant,  and  will  follow  the  routes  of  their  respective  corps. 

14.  The  corps  will  take  with  them  on  the  march  merely  those  light 
headquarters  wagons,  ammunition  wagons,  ambulances,  etc.,  specified  for 
the  march  across  the  Rapidan.    All  others  will  be  sent  at  once  to  the  main 
train  of  the  army. 

15.  The  depot  at  White  House  will  be  continued  for  the  present 
with  its  permanent  garrison,  but  all  supplies,  etc.,  for  this  army  will  be 
moved  to  the  James  river,  leaving  50,000  rations  subsistence  and  30,000 
rations  of  forage  in  addition  to  the  supplies  for  the  garrison.     On  the 
arrival  of  Major-General  Sheridan  and  Hunter,  the  post  at  White  House 
will  be  broken  up  and  transferred  to  Yorktown,  from  which  place  the 
commanding  officer  will  report  his  arrival  to  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of 

MAJOR-GENERAL  MEADE. 
S.  WILLIAMS, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General. 


COLD    HARBOR. 


129 


It  will  be  seen  by  this  order  that  if  General  Lee  felt  strong 
enough  to  cope  with  General  Grant,  after  sparing  over  eight  thousand 
muskets  and  twenty-four  pieces  of  artillery,  the  latter  felt  strong 
enough  not  only  to  cope  with  him,  after  sending  the  Eighteenth 
Corps,  over  ten  thousand  men,  away  from  the  army  by  transport 
around  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  but  to  resume  the  flank  movement 
through  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  to  cross  rivers  in 
the  very  teeth  of  the  Confederate  army  that  was  inspired  with  so 
much  confidence,  and  to  accomplish  it  successfully.  The  move 
ments,  as  directed,  would  seem  somewhat  complicated  with  such  a 
large  army,  with  its  immense  wagon  trains  and  all  the  belongings 
necessary  for  a  well-equipped  army  marching  through  the  enemy's 
country.  Everything  has  to  move  in  regular  order  and  writh 
exactness,  or  friction  will  arise  which  will  not  only  retard  the 
movement  but  oftentimes  endanger  the  safety  of  the  whole  army. 
This  was  a  case  where  no  friction  arose  and  the  order  was  exe 
cuted  with  the  precision  of  clockwork. 

Before  leaving  Cold  Harbor  General  Crittenden,  who  com 
manded  the  division  to  which  the  Fifty-Seventh  belonged,  was  re 
lieved,  at  his  own  request,  and  the  command  fell  upon  Brig.- 
Gen.  James  H.  Ledlie,'  who  had  previously  commanded  the 
First  Brigade  of  the  division.  Subsequent  events  proved  that 
this  assignment  was  an  unfortunate  one,  not  only  for  the  divi 
sion,  but  the  regiment. 

The  army  commenced  to  move  after  dark  of  the  12th.  The 
pickets  of  the  several  corps  were  kept  out  until  daylight  the  next 
morning,  in  order  to  conceal  the  movement  as  much  as  possible 
from  the  enemy,  but  he  discovered  it  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
13th  and  immediately  took  measures  to  meet  it. 

The  Fifth  Corps,  after  having  been  withdrawn  from  its  posi 
tion  in  line,  was  thrown  about  a  mile  in  advance  towards  what 
was  known  as  Riddell's  Shop,  from  whence  three  roads  led  to  Rich 
mond.  The  object  of  this  was  to  deceive  General  Lee  by  giving 
him  the  impression  that  an  attack  was  to  be  made  from  that  point. 
It  had  the  desired  effect,  and  while  he  was  making  preparations 
to  meet  it,  the  rest  of  the  army  was  on  the  march  towards  James 
river.  General  Warren  held  this  position  covering  the  crossings 

9 


130  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

of  the  Chickahominy  and  the  bridge  over  White  Oak  Swamp  and 
occupying  the  attention  of  the  Confederates  until  the  army  was 
well  under  way  toward  the  designated  point,  when  he  withdrew 
and  followed  in  rear  of  the  Second  Corps,  leaving  Lee  in  doubt 
as  to  where  the  next  blow  would  be  struck,  but  knowing  that 
Richmond  was  the  ultimate  object,  and  having  the  arc  of  a  smaller 
circle  to  march  over,  he  was  able  to  anticipate  it  from  any  point. 
The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  marched  with  .the  Ninth 
Corps  by  way  of  Tunstall's  Station,  Baltimore  Cross  Roads  and 
Olive  Church,  encamping  for  the  night  near  the  crossing  of  the 
Chickahominy.  The  regiment  crossed  the  river  on  ponton 
bridges  early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  and  after  a  most 
fatiguing  march,  through  an  extremely  hot  day,  reached  Charles 
City  Court  House  just  above  Wilcox's  Landing  on  the  James 
river,  and  immediately  threw  up  works  to  defend  the  crossing  at 
that  place.  As  these  movements  were  required  to  be  made  in 
great  haste,  the  inarches  were  necessarily  long  and  exhaustive, 
being  from  twenty-five  to  thirty-five  miles.  For  the  previous  six 
weeks  it  had  been  literally  fighting  by  day  and  marching  by  night, 
writh  very  little  time  for  sleep  or  refreshment.  Officers  had  not 
been  able  to  obtain  a  change  of  clothing,  as  there  could  be  no 
delay  for  the  regimental  wagons  to  come  up.  They  wTere  so 
covered  and  begrimed  with  dust  and  dirt  that  they  would  have 
been  disgusted  and  ashamed  of  themselves  in  any  other  place  or 
position,  yet  they  wore  this  evidence  of  hard  service,  as  a  dis 
tinctive  mark  of  honor  earned  in  the  field  in  defense  of  their 
country.  Going  to  war  possesses  a  romantic  charm  before 
experience  has  been  gained,  but  when  it  comes  to  hard  marching 
and  fighting,  with  only  the  coarsest  food  to  eat,  and  standing 
guard  all  night,  perhaps  through  a  drenching  rain,  with  blistered 
feet,  tired  limbs  and  aching  bones,  where  it  is  a  crime,  punishable 
with  death,  to  fall  asleep  ;  then  to  fight  or  march  all  the  next  day, 
rather  tarnishes  the  glamour  of  war  and  makes  it  more  realistic ; 
but  this  is  what  these  men  did  day  after  day.  A  night  of  unin 
terrupted  rest,  with  the  ground  for  a  bed,  was  considered  a 
luxury.  If  the  ground  were  wet  and  muddy,  two  horizontal  rails 
to  lie  upon  made  the  possessor  of  them  feel  wealthy.  The  James 


COLD    HARBOR. 


131 


river  at  the  point  of  crossing  was  seven  hundred  yards  in  width. 
The  ponton  bridge  was  commenced  under  the  charge  of  Major 
Duaue,  of  the  Engineer  Corps,  the  afternoon  of  the  14th  and 
finished  about  midnight  of  the  same  day.  The  current  was  strong 
with  the  ebb  tide,  which  had  a  rise  and  fall  of  about  four  feet. 
In  mid-river  the  bridge  had  to  be  stayed  by  anchoring  to  vessels 
above  and  below.  The  army  began  to  cross  at  once,  the  Ninth 
Corps  in  advance,  preceded  by  the  artillery  and  wagon  trains, 
followed  by  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps.  All  that  night  the  dark 
moving  line  could  be  seen  stretching  across  the  river.  Lights 
were  displayed  at  intervals  to  facilitate  the  movement.  The 
pontons  made  of  canvas  were  very  unsteady  under  the  pressure 
of  such  a  moving  weight,  and  would  tip  and  sway  as  the  weight 
became  lighter  or  heavier  at  certain  points,  so  that  it  was  difficult 
to  march  without  staggering.  The  resounding  tramp  of  marching 
men  and  the  rumble  of  heavy  wheels  continued  until  about  mid 
night  of  the  16th,  when  the  whole  army  was  safely  across  to  the 
south  bank  of  the  river  at  Fort  Powhattan.  The  Fifty- Seventh 
immediately  took  up  the  march  for  Petersburg,  marching  to  the 
distant  sound  of  artillery,  that  grew  louder  and  more  distinct  as 
mile  after  mile  was  left  behind,  and  keeping  step  to  the  familiar 
tune,  "We'll  hang  Jeff  Davis  to  a  sour-apple  tree,"  which  wras 
sung  both  in  the  spirit  and  letter.  Everyone  knew  that  more 
hard  work  was  ahead,  but  none  imagined  that  it  was  to  be  one 
long  strain  of  ten  tedious  months.  To  tell  the  oft-repeated  story 
of  those  months  of  battle  and  siege,  in  which  the  Fifty-Seventh 
gallantly  sustained  the  reputation  it  had  so  dearly  won,  bore 
its  share  of  wounds  and  death,  and  finally  contributed  its  share 
towards  winning  the  laurels  of  victory,  will  form  the  subject  of 
future  chapters. 


ALBERT   DOTY, 

1st  Lieut.  57th  Mass.,  Bvt.  Capt.  U.S.  Vols. 


JOHN   W.    SANDERSON, 

Capt.  57th  Mass. 


EDWIN   I.    COE, 

Lieut,  (acting  Adjt.)  57th  Mass. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


PETERSBURG. 

5T  will  be  remembered  that  in  transferring  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  from  the  vicinity  of  Cold  Harbor  to  the 
south  bank  of  the  James  river,  the  Eighteenth  Corps 
was  sent  by  transports  down  the  York  river  around 
by  Fortress  Monroe  and  up  the  James.  This  corps 
began  to  arrive  at  Bermuda  Hundred  the  evening  of 
June  14th,  and  by  the  morning  of  the  15th  was  ready  to 
commence  operations  upon  the  defenses  of  Petersburg.  A  division 
of  cavalry  under  General  Kautz,  and  General  Hincks'  division  of 
colored  troops,  were  assigned  to  General  Smith's  command. 

The  cavalry  and  colored  division  were  the  first  to  arrive  in 
front  of  the  Confederate  works.  General  Hincks'  division 
(colored)  attacked  the  enemy's  outpost  at  Bailey's  farm,  making 
a  most  gallant  charge,  capturing  a  number  of  prisoners  and  one 
piece  of  artillery.  Most  of  this  day  was  spent  in  recounoitering 
the  enemy's  position.  About  sundown  General  Smith  made  a 
spirited  attack  upon  the  enemy's  intrenchments,  northeast  of 
Petersburg,  and  carried  the  line  for  about  two  and  a  half  miles, 
capturing  several  hundred  prisoners  and  fifteen  pieces  of  artillery. 
He  considered  the  enemy  too  strong  in  his  front  for  another 
attack,  and  preferred  to  retain  possession  of  what  he  had  already 
won  rather  than  to  risk  losing  it  by  another  attack.  General 
Hancock  came  up  with  the  Second  Corps  soon  after  dark,  and  re 
lieved  the  men  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps.  It  was  believed  then  by 
General  Smith  that  the  whole  of  Lee's  army  was  in  front  of  him, 
or  within  striking  distance.  The  facts,  as  revealed  later,  show 
that  he  had  only  one  brigade,  commanded  by  General  Wise,  with 
some  dismounted  cavalry  and  artillery,  opposed  to  him  ;  in  all,  less 


134 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


than  four  thousand  men.  If  he  had  assaulted  them,  with  his 
whole  force,  Petersburg  must  have  fallen ;  and  instead  of  the 
long  siege,  our  guns  would  soon  have  been  thundering  before  the 
gates  of  Richmond.  Fitzhugh  Lee  says  that  General  Lee  was  slow 
to  believe  that  Petersburg  was  seriously  threatened,  believing  all 
the  time  that  the  attempted  approach  to  Richmond  would  be  made 
from  the  north  bank  of  the  James.  He  had  discovered  the  with 
drawal  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  Cold  Harbor  on  the 
morning  of  the  13th.  For  the  first  time  during  the  campaign  he 
was  in  doubt,  but  upon  the  earnest  appeal  of  General  Beauregard, 
he  commenced  to  transfer  his  army  to  the  south  bank  of  the 
James  at  Drury's  Bluff,  and  by  the  evening  of  the  loth  the  Con 
federate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  commenced  to  arrive  and 
take  position  within  the  intrenchments  that  encircled  Petersburg 
on  the  north  and  east.  These  w^orks  had  been  constructed  under 
the  direction  of  General  Beauregard  several  months  before,  and 
were  built  with  the  superior  engineering  skill  for  which  that  officer 
was  noted.  They  had  strong  batteries  connected  with  infantry 
intrenchments,  the  approaches  to  which  were  protected  by 
ditches,  abatis  and  chevaux  de  frise.  To  those  not  familiar  with 
the  two  last  mentioned,  wre  may  be  indulged  in  a  brief  digression  to 
explain  them  and  their  uses.  Abatis  is  a  defense  made  of  felled 
trees  laid  parallel,  with  the  tops  pointing  outward,  the  leaves 
stripped,  branches  trimmed  and  pointed  in  the  direction  from 
which  approach  is  to  be  resisted.  Often  large  branches  are  cut 
and  pointed  and  then  set  in  the  ground  so  thickly  that  a  man 
could  not  pass  between  without  one  or  more  being  removed.  In 
a  heavily  wooded  country,  as  most  of  Virginia  was  at  that  time, 
convenient  trees  were  usually  found  in  abundance.  Chevaux  de 
frise  are  constructed  of  a  beam  of  wood  through  which  rows  of 
pointed  rods  about  six  feet  in  length  are  driven,  the  rods  being 
about  four  or  five  inches  apart.  There  are  four  rows  of  these 
rods  passing  through  opposite  faces  of  this  beam  in  directions 
alternately  at  right  angles  to  each  other,  the  beams  being  about 
ten  feet  in  length  and  secured  so  as  not  to  be  easily  removed. 
Often  both  the  abatis  and  chevaux  de  frise  would  be  used  in 
front  of  a  deep,  wide  moat  or  ditch,  behind  which  would  be  bas- 


PETERSBURG.  135 

tioned  earthworks  and  rilie  pits,  constructed  in  such  a  manner 
that  any  approach  by  a  hostile  force  could  be  met  with  a  raking 
front  and  flank  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery.  In  case  an  assail 
ing  force  could  live  to  reach  these  obstructions,  it  required  time 
to  remove  them  for  the  passage  of  troops,  who  then  had  to  cross 
the  ditch  and  climb  the  face  of  the  parapets  before  the  enemy 
could  be  reached ;  all  this  time  the  latter  would  be  pouring  a 
deadly  fire  upon  the  assailants  at  a  distance  of  only  a  few  yards. 
This  is  what  it  meant  to  charge  the  enemy  in  position.  This 
was  what  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  doing  all  the  way  down 
from  the  Wilderness,  and  this  was  what  had  to  be  done  in  front  of 
the  trenches  around  Petersburg,  while  the  enemy  remained  behind 
them.  From  this  brief  description  it  does  not  seem  difficult  for 
one,  wholly  unacquainted  with  the  science  of  war,  to  understand 
the  great  advantage  possessed  by  the  army  which  always  stood 
on  the  defensive,  over  the  assailant.  This  should  satisfactorily 
explain  why  a  greater  force  was  needed  to  make  an  attack  than 
to  resist  one,  and  why  the  Federal  loss  was  always  so  much 
heavier  than  the  Confederate.  The  latter  could  lose  only  a  small 
proportion  while  the  attack  was  being  made,  which  if  successful 
resulted  in  a  capture  of  prisoners  and  terminated  all  wounding  or 
killing,  or  if  not  a  surrender,  then  a  hasty  retreat  within  some 
other  comparative  place  of  security  to  continue  the  resistance. 

Let  the  peacefully  disposed  reader,  sitting  by  his  fireside, 
imagine  himself  obliged  to  advance  through  and  over  such  ob 
stacles  in  face  of  a  gallant  enemy,  with  loaded  muskets  and 
cannon  pointed  upon  him ;  yet,  dear  reader,  that  was  what  was 
required  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  during  four  years  of  bloody 
war.  That  is  what  made  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  graves 
and  thousands  upon  thousands  maimed  and  disabled  veterans, 
who  think  it  no  dishonor  that  their  names  help  to  swell  the  pension 
roll.  Had  the  situation  been  reversed,  the  Confederate  army, 
with  all  its  boasted  valor,  could  not  have  accomplished  more. 
We  mean  no  reflection  upon  their  valor,  that  is  conceded,  but  we 
do  claim  that  it  required  some,  on  the  part  of  the  Federal  soldier, 
to  make  such  attacks  as  we  have  described,  even  if  our  numbers 
were  greater. 


136 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Returning  again  to  the  Ninth  Corps  and  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts  which  we  left  on  the  15th,  commencing  the  march 
from  where  it  crossed  the  James  river  to  Petersburg.  The  Third 
Division  (Wilcox)  moved  in  advance,  followed  by  the  First  and 
Second.  Wilcox's  division  arrived  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works 
a  little  before  noon  of  the  16th  and  took  position  for  assaulting, 
with  the  First  Division  in  support.  As  we  marched  forward  we 
passed  the  colored  troops  of  General  Hincks'  division  near  the 
scene  of  the  previous  day's  encounter.  They  were  singing  and 
having  a  regular  jubilee  over  the  guns  they  had  captured.  About 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon  the  entire  corps  was  up  and  in  posi 
tion  on  the  left  of  the  Second  Corps,  awaiting  orders  for  the 
attack.  The  Fifth  Corps,  under  General  Warren,  crossed  the 
river,  following  the  Ninth,  and  on  the  16th,  was  ordered  to  push 
forward  by  division  towards  Petersburg.  It  arrived  early  on  the 
17th.  At  the  same  time  that  the  Federal  troops  were  arriving 
and  taking  position,  the  Confederates  were  doing  the  same.  The 
Confederate  intrenchments  ran  from  the  Appomattox  river  east 
for  a  mile  to  the  City  Point  Railroad,  thence  out  three  miles  to 
the  Norfolk  Railroad,  then  west  four  miles  to  a  point  a  mile  west 
of  the  Weldon  Railroad,  then  again  north  two  miles  to  the 
Appomattox  river  (Humphreys'  ''Virginia  Campaign  of  1864 
and  1865  "),  making  ten  miles  of  intrenchments. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  General  Hancock  was  placed  in 
command  of  all  the  Federal  troops  that  had  come  up,  and  com 
menced  reconnoitering  in  his  front.  One  brigade  made  a  spirited 
attack  upon  an  isolated  redoubt  and  carried  it.  During  the  day 
General  Meade  arrived  and  ordered  General  Hancock  to  attack  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  evening  with  the  Second  Corps,  supported  by 
two  brigades  of  the  Eighteenth  on  the  right  and  two  of  the  Ninth 
on  the  left.  This  proved  a  success  and  the  enemy  was  driven 
back  along  the  whole  line.  The  two  brigades  on  the  left  (Ninth 
Corps  brigades)  captured  two  redans  with  several  pieces  of 
artillery  and  a  number  of  prisoners.  During  the  night  of  the 
1 6th  orders  were  issued  for  an  attack  upon  the  enemy's  intrench 
ments  early  the  next  morning.  The  Second  Division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps  was  selected  to  ma'ke  the  assault  and  was  supported 


PETERSBURG. 


13' 


by  the  First  Division  (Ledlie).  General  Potter,  Second  Division, 
was  ordered  to  move  forward  without  firing  a  shot  and  to  carry 
the  works  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  This  was  done  in  the 
most  splendid  manner.  The  troops  swept  forward  and  over  the 
enemy's  parapets,  finding  them  asleep  writh  their  arms  in  their 
hands.  Four  guns,  five  colors,  six  hundred  prisoners  and  fifteen 
hundred  stands  of  small  arms  were  captured,  besides  a  line  of 
works  on  a  commanding  ridge.  The  division  pushed  forward 
until  encountering  a  new  intrenched  position  stronger  than  the 
first  from  which  the  enemy  could  not  be  dislodged.  The  First 
Division  did  not  get  up  to  participate  in  this  encounter,  on  account 
of  being  delayed  in  getting  through  a  deep  ravine  which  was  filled 
with  slashed  timber.  In  the  course  of  the  day  the  Third  Division 
made  an  attack  upon  this  line,  but  was  repulsed.  During  all  these 
operations  the  Fifty- Seventh  had  not  been  actively  engaged, 
the  brigade  to  which  it  belonged  having  been  employed  in  support 
of  the  troops  of  the  Second  Division ;  but  its  turn  was  soon  to 
come  when  it  was  to  have  its  full  share  of  work. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  now  occupied  a  deep  ravine  about  three 
hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works.  The  First  Division, 
with  Colonel  Christ's  brigade  of  the  Third  Division,  received 
orders  to  charge  from  this  ravine  upon  the  works  where  the  Third 
Division  had  been  repulsed  earlier  in  the  day.  The  men  crept  up 
to  the  edge  of  the  ravine  facing  the  Confederate  intrenchmeuts 
and  laid  prone1  upon  the  ground  awaiting  the  order  to  charge, 
remaining  in  this  position  about  an  hour.  The  intervening  space 
was  open,  with  a  field  of  growing  corn  about  ten  inches  high. 
Looking  across  the  field  of  green  the  enemy's  works  could  be 
seen.  He  was  evidently  anticipating  an  attack  and  kept  playing 
upon  our  line  with  artillery,  ricochet  firing  with  solid  shot.  Rico 
chet  is  where  the  artillery  is  fired  with  a  small  charge  at  a  small 
angle  of  elevation.  The  projectile  soon  strikes  the  ground  and  con 
tinues  in  a  straight  line,  rebounding  every  few  yards  until  its  force 
is  spent.  It  is  very  destructive  as  it  passes,  with  each  rebound 
rising  but  little  above  the  level  of  the  ground.  It  cannot  be  used 
to  advantage  except  in  an  open  country  where  there  are  no  objects 
to  cause  a  deflection.  In  this  case  it  was  across  a  level  cornfield. 


138  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

After  the  second  rebound  the  direction  of  the  projectile  can  be 
obtained,  which  gives  one  an  opportunity  of  dodging  them,  if  he 
is  quick  enough.  We  were  kept  dodging  most  of  the  time.  While 
lying  in  this  position  a  mail  was  brought  up  and  passed  around. 
The  men  who  had  received  letters  took  the  risk  of  reading  them, 
while  those  who  received  none  kept  watch  for  the  ricochet  shots. 
Presently  one  was  seen  coming,  under  full  headway,  directly 
towards  us.  As  we  rolled  over  we  called  "Look  out"  to 
Lieutenant  Barton  who  was  but  a  few  feet  from  us.  He  had 
barely  time  to  turn  over  when  the  shot  struck  near  his  feet, 
smashing  a  musket  belonging  to  Sergeant  McFarland,  and  then 
taking  another  rebound,  passed  on.  It  came  so  close  to  Lieutenant 
Barton  as  to  take  away  one  of  the  sleeves  of  his  coat  and  to  cause 
a  slight  contusion  of  the  arm,  sufficient,  however,  if  he  had  been 
so  disposed,  to  give  him  an  excuse  for  leaving  the  field ;  but 
Lieutenant  Barton  was  made  of  better  metal  and  remained  at  his 
post  in  command  of  his  company.  The  division  commander  was 
safe  from  all  such  projectiles  unless  they  had  dropped  vertically 
from  the  skies.  Presently  the  order  came  to  charge.  Every 
officer  stepped  to  the  front  and  led  the  men  forward.  It  was  a 
gallant  charge.  The  line  swept  impetuously  forward  across  the 
open  space,  in  the  face  of  a  murderous  fire  of  musketry  and 
artillery,  never  hesitating,  but  leaping  the  Confederate  parapets, 
took  them  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  We  were  soon  in  pos 
session  of  that  part  of  their  works,  but  they  formed  in  an  angle 
at  the  left  where  there  was  a  redoubt  with  a  battery,  from  which 
point  they  maintained  a  spirited  fight  until  charged  by  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  when  part  escaped  and  others  surrendered.  Over  a 
hundred  prisoners,  a  stand  of  colors  and  several  pieces  of  artillery 
were  captured.  The  enemy  fell  back  to  another  line  in  close 
proximity,  from  which  he  kept  up  a  continuous  fire  of  musketry 
and  artillery,  subsequently  bringing  their  guns  into  position,  from 
where  they  had  a  severe  enfilading  fire  upon  our  line.  As  a 
protection  against  this,  transverse  earthworks  had  to  be  thrown 
up  under  a  most  destructive  fire.  Maj.  J.  M.  Tucker,  who  had 
just  been  promoted  from  captain,  and  was  in  command  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh  Regiment,  was  just  in  the  act  of  giving  us  instruc- 


PETERSBURG.  139 

tions  about  these  works,  when  he  was  struck  in  the  face  by  a 
musket  ball  and  fell  at  our  feet,  the  shot  passing  entirely  through. 
As  he  was  lying  upon  the  ground  unconscious,  we  supposed  he 
was  either  killed  or  mortally  wounded.  He  was  sent  out.  The 
enemy's  fire  rapidly  increased,  while  that  of  our  own  decreased, 
as  the  ammunition  was  giving  out.  Cartridge  boxes  were  cut 
from  the  dead  who  were  lying  upon  the  field  and  their  ammunition 
used  until  that,  too,  was  expended.  As  our  fire  slackened,  the 
enemy  charged  back  upon  us,  and  being  out  of  ammunition,  we 
were  obliged  to  fall  back  to  the  ravine  from  whence  the  charge 
was  made. 

The  fighting  of  the  17th  of  June  was  mostly  done  by  the 
Ninth  Corps,  and  most  of  the  advantage  gained  in  front  of  Peters 
burg  was  by  this  corps,  whose  lines  were  pushed  closer  to  the 
enemy  than  any  of  the  others. 

In  this  engagement  the  First  Division  was  supported  on  the 
left  by  one  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  as  well  as  the  brigade  of 
Colonel  Christ.  The  charge  was  made  about  nine  o'clock  P.M., 
June  17th.  There  was  nearly  a  full  moon  and  the  sky  was  cloud 
less,  so  that  it  was  nearly  as  light  as  day.  Our  division  (First 
Division  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps)  was  commanded  by  the  gallant 
Col.  J.  P.  Gould  of  the  59th  Massachusetts.  No  braver  officer 
ever  drew  sword ;  one  who  never  said  to  his  command  "  go"  but 
"  come,"  and  he  always  led  in  person,  finally  sealing  his  devotion 
to  his  country  with  his  life,  as  later,  Aug.  22d,  1864,  he  died 
from  the  effects  of  wounds  received  in  battle.  No  feeble  words 
of  ours  can  pay  a  sufficiently  high  tribute  to  his  memory.  He 
died  in  defense  of  his  country  and  left  a  name  honored  and  be 
loved  by  friends  and  comrades.  This  encomium,  truthfully  and 
simply  expressed,  contains  as  much  of  eloquence  as  might  be 
conveyed  by  flowery  rhetoric. 

To  command  a  division  was  unusual  for  a  colonel.  Such 
commands  were  exercised  by  a  brigadier  or  major-general.  It 
would  seem  more  strange  in  this  case  where  a  brigadier-general 
was  present  who  had  commanded  the  division  for  nearly  three 
weeks  and  was  still  on  duty  with  it,  but  the  fact  was  that 
the  regular  division  commander  was  in  no  condition  to  exercise 


140  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

command  of  anything  at  that  time.  The  supply  of  artificial  cour 
age  which  he  had  taken  carried  him  beyond  the  proper  counter 
poise  and  rendered  him  hors-de-combat,  in  which  condition  he 
remained  in  the  ravine,  from  where  his  division  had  charged  under 
command  of  Colonel  Gould.  Judging  from  the  noise  he  made, 
one  might  think  he  was  locked  in  a  deadly  struggle  with  the  whole 
Confederate  army.  The  lesson  he  learned  at  the  battle  of  North 
Anna  river  taught  him  not  to  risk  himself  in  another  engagement 
trusting  to  "  Dutch  courage." 

The  language  employed  in  describing  this  officer  may  appeal- 
severe,  but  the  facts  in  the  case,  as  known  to  others  who  saw  him, 
fully  justify  it  and  more  too.  It  is  not  written  with  any  feeling 
of  malice,  for  we  have  no  personal  grievance.  We  only  feel  that 
in  writing  a  history  it  is  our  duty  to  write  the  truth,  and  such  has 
been  our  steady  purpose.  The  truth  in  this  matter  has  been  told 
with  all  the  charity  it  can  bear.  An  officer  of  high  standing,  and 
one  of  strict  integrity,  who  was  serving  upon  his  staff  at  the  time 
of  which  we  are  writing,  speaks  of  him  as  follows:  "  He  was  a 
good  soul,  but  a  very  weak  man,  and  no  more  fit  to  command  a 
division  than  half  the  privates  under  him.  The  day  we  charged 
the  lines  of  Confederate  works  in  front  of  Petersburg  (June  17th, 
1864),  he  laid  in  the  little  ravine  behind  the  line  all  during  the 
charge,  too  much  under  the  influence  of  liquor  to  know  what  was 
going  on.  He  staid  in  a  bomb-proof  in  the  Union  lines  during 
the  operations  attending  the  crater  disaster."  Such  was  the 
officer  under  whom  the  Fifty-Seventh  had  to  serve  for  some  time, 
to  be  pushed,  not  led,  into  battle. 

Resuming  the  narrative.  Late  on  the  night  of  the  17th  General 
Meade  ordered  an  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  at  four  o'clock 
A.M.  of  the  18th,  by  the  Second,  Fifth  and  Ninth  Corps.  The 
troops  moved  forward  promptly  at  the  designated  hour,  a  large 
proportion  of  the  fighting  again  falling  upon  the  Ninth.  As  the 
advance  was  made  the  enemy  hastily  abandoned  the  intrenchments 
that  had  been  captured,  the  previous  night,  by  the  First  Division  of 
the  Ninth  Corps,  leaving  their  dead  and  many  of  their  wounded 
to  fall  into  our  hands.  At  the  angle  where  the  battery  was 
located,  of  which  previous  mention  has  been  made,  the  trenches 


PETERSBURG.  141 

were  found  filled  with  Confederate  dead,  while  the  surrounding 
ground  was  thickly  covered  with  them.  Looking  back  at  the 
cornfield  over  which  the  charges  had  been  made  the  previous  day, 
it  was  found  thickly  strewn  with  the  Federal  dead,  while  the  field 
of  corn,  which  so  recently  had  shown  a  peaceful  husbandry,  was 
now  trampled  into  the  bloody  ground.  Everything  showed  how 
desperate  the  engagement  had  been.  Many  dead  Confederates 
were  lying  across  each  other  in  the  same  position  in  which  they 
had  fallen.  The  enemy  had  fallen  back  to  a  new  position  near 
the  Norfolk  and  Petersburg  Railroad.  It  now  became  our  ob 
ject  to  dislodge  them  from  this.  Their  intrenchments  were  so 
constructed  that  when  driven  from  one  position  they  had  another 
not  far  away  into  which  they  could  get  and  still  continue  the 
fighting. 

The  advance  was  now  formed  by  corps  from  right  to  left  in 
the  following  order :  Second,  Ninth  and  Fifth.  Second  Corps 
found  itself  nearer  the  enemy's  works  than  the  Fifth  or  Ninth. 
The  two  latter  had  to  move  forward  nearly  a  mile  through  brush 
and  timber  and  deep  ravines.  This  rendered  the  contemplated 
simultaneous  attack  somewhat  difficult  of  execution.  General 
Meade  finally  fixed  the  hour  for  attack  at  twelve  o'clock,  noon 
(June  18th).  At  this  time  the  Second  Corps  made  two  assaults, 
but  was  each  time  repulsed.  In  the  meantime  the  Ninth  and 
Fifth  were  engaged  in  driving  the  enemy  out  of  a  deep  railroad 
cut  of  the  Norfolk  and  Petersburg  Railroad.  This  took  con 
siderable  time;  passing  beyond,  the  ground  to  be  crossed  was 
exposed  to  the  enemy's  artillery.  An  assault  was  ordered  in  the 
afternoon  with  the  whole  available  force.  The  Ninth  Corps 
formed  for  the  attack  with  the  Third  Division  (Wilcox)  in  front, 
followed  by  the  Second  Division  (Potter's)  with  the  First  Divi 
sion  in  support.  The  assault  was  gallantly  made,  the  enemy 
being  driven  through  the  woods  and  beyond  the  railroad  cut,  the 
possession  of  which  was  held  by  the  Ninth  Corps.  This  brought 
the  two  opposing  lines  nearer  together  here  than  at  any  other 
point.  The  Second  Corps  was  again  repulsed  with  considerable 
loss.  The  Fifth  Corps  also  failed,  though  not  through  any  fault 
of  the  brave  officers  and  men  who  composed  it.  So  far  as  com- 


142 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


parison  goes  one  organization  fought  as  well  as  another,  the 
Ninth  Corps,  however,  being  the  only  one  that  succeeded  in  gain 
ing  any  permanent  advantage.  It  was  not  found  advisable  to 
attempt  any  further  assaults.  The  whole  of  Lee's  army  was  now  in 
front  and  strongly  intrenched,  and  it  became  evident  that  Peters 
burg  could  not  be  carried  by  direct  attack.  To  continue  around 
the  circle  any  further  by  the  flank  would  be  only  moving  further 
away  from  the  base  of  supplies,  which  had  been  transferred  to 
City  Point  on  the  James  river,  just  in  rear  of  the  Federal  lines, 
where  supplies  of  all  kinds  could  be  brought  up  the  river  by 
transports,  without  fear  of  molestation.  A  further  movement  to 
the  left  wrould  have  been  a  continual  grinding,  as  it  had  been  for 
the  previous  six  weeks,  against  strongly  fortified  works,  bravely 
and  skilfully  defended  ;  hence,  at  the  close  of  the  day  of  June  18th, 
1864,  each  corps  remained  in  place  where  the  lull  of  battle  had 
found  them,  and  commenced  a  long  siege  that  was  finally  to  ter 
minate  in  the  defeat  and  surrender  of  the  Confederate  army. 
Attention  was  now  given  to  burying  the  dead.  All  the  wounded 
had  been  removed  as  the  advance  was  made.  The  Confederate 
wounded  who  fell  into  our  hands  had  really  nothing  to  regret,  for 
they  were  better  cared  for  by  us  than  they  possibly  could  have 
been  had  they  not  been  captured,  as  the  Confederate  facilities  for 
taking  care  of  the  wounded  were  beginning  to  get  limited. 

In  passing  back  over  the  cornfield,  one  of  the  first  bodies  to 
attract  our  attention  was  that  of  Sergt.  John  J.  Cooley  of 
Company  A,  Fifty-Seventh ;  a  good  soldier,  a  gallant  man  and 
a  genial  comrade.  As  his  uncoffined  remains  were  placed  in  the 
shallow  grave  that  had  been  dug  for  him  in  the  cornfield,  we 
thought  of  the  time,  but  a  few  days  before,  when  he  was  perform 
ing  the  same  sad  duty  for  others.  As  he  laid  them  carefully  and 
tenderly  away,  he  had  some  kindly  word  of  affection  for  each, 
writh  one  remark  that  we  remember  so  well,  "  I  wonder  who  will 
do  this  for  me  ? "  Little  did  he  then  think  that  those  words 
would  be  remembered  for  long  years  after,  by  one  who  helped 
perform  that  duty  and  whose  duty  it  now  is  to  pay  a  loving 
tribute  to  his  memory. 

The  air  was  soft  and  balmy  and  laden  with  the  sweet 
fragrance  of  the  magnolia.  All  nature  seemed  wreathed  in 


PETERSBURG. 


143 


lovely,  peaceful  smiles ;  but  the  devastating  path  of  war  had  left 
a  picture  which  stood  in  horrid  contrast.  The  dead  were  buried 
without  form  or  ceremony,  with  no  shroud  save  their  own  honored 
blue  uniform  and  no  farewell  salute  save  the  sullen  roar  of  distant 
artillery. 

The  loss  to  the  Fifty- Seventh  in  this  battle  was  very  severe. 
It  had  been  so  depleted  by  previous  losses  that  it  only  had  one 
hundred  and  eighty  men  for  duty  before  the  engagement.  This 
out  of  the  nine  hundred  and  twenty-eight  with  which  the  regiment 
had  left  Worcester,  only  a  little  over  two  months  before.  They 
had  been  left  upon  battlefields  from  the  Wilderness  down.  The 
number  of  killed  alone,  including  officers,  was  eighty-four,  being 
nearly  ten  per  cent  of  the  one  hundred  and  eighty  it  took  into  the 
battle  of  Petersburg  June  17th.  One  officer,  Lieut.  Edwin  I. 
Coe,  and  ten  enlisted  men  were  killed ;  Captain  Tucker,  Captain 
Lawrence,  Captain  Doherty,  Lieutenant  Ward  and  twenty-six 
enlisted  men  wounded,  with  three  enlisted  men  missing,  making  a 
total  loss  of  forty-four. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  enlisted  men  killed :  — 


Co.  D 
Co.  G 
woi 
Co.  A 
Co.  B 


John  J.  Cooley,  Sergt.  Co.  A 

Silas  N.  Cook,  Pvt. 
Cornelius  Murphy, 
Henry  Bills, 
Joseph  J.  Starr, 

Adolphus  Porter,  Pvt. 

Daniel  V.  Adams,  " 

John  Bradley,  "•            "• 

Charles  L.  Brigham,  ll             " 
A.  S.  Gerry, 

George  F.  Hood,  "             'l 

Henry  C.  Hayden,  " 

John  Leary,  "             " 

Martin  Wait,  "         Co.  C 

Henry  G.  Desautell,  Corp.     Co.  E 

John  Southey,  Pvt.      Co.  F 

Ozro  A.  Brigham,  "•             " 

J.  W.  Farnsworth,  " 

(Lost  a  leg) 

Darby  O'Brien,  "             " 

Patrick  McCarthy,  "             " 


Eli  A.  Elleck, 
Hiram  Streeter, 
John  Waters, 
S.  A.  Byam, 
L.  W.  Rawson, 


Pvt.      Co.  H 

u  u 

Co.  I 
Co.  K 


NDED  . 

Charles  A.Trowbridge, Sergt.  Co.  G 
Horace  S.  Pike,  Pvt. 

David  Charlesworth,      "• 
Edward  J.  Fogarty,        tf         Co.  H 
Henry  M.  Ide,  Sergt.  Co.    I 

(Afterwards  1st  Lieutenant) 
James  Bonner,  Pvt.      Co.    I 

William  G.  Elkins, 
Charles  Sedell, 
John  B.  Rogers,  "         Co.  K 

(Died  of  wounds  July  26,  1864) 
William  Prentiss,  Jr.,  Pvt.      Co.  K 

(Died  of  wounds  June  18,  1864) 
Edward  M.  Schneider,  Pvt.      Co.  K 

(Died  of  wounds  June  19,  1864) 


144 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


MISSING. 

Louis  Blanchard,  Pvt.  Co.  C. 

Eleazer  C.  Drake,  Pvt.  Co.  E.     (Died  at  Andersonville  June  30,  1864) 
Martin  Ilyan,  Pvt.  Co.  F. 

This  left  the  regiment  with  only  one  hundred  and  forty-one 
men  present  for  duty. 

Lieut.  Edwin  I.  Coe  was  born  in  Medway,  Mass..  March  2d, 
1845,  and  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  commissioned  a  2d 
Lieutenant  in  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts.  His  father  was 
a  minister  of  the  Unitarian  Church,  but  had  to  give  up  the 
ministry  on  account  of  poor  health.  He  moved  to  Worcester  in 
1849,  where  young  Coe  was  brought  up  and  educated  in  the 
public  schools.  During  the  early  part  of  the  war  he  was  anxious 
to  serve  under  his  country's  flag  in  the  army  and  enlisted  in  the 
51st  Massachusetts  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  was  mustered  out 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  with  an  honorable  record. 
Upon  the  organization  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  he 
was  appointed  2d  Lieutenant  to  date  from  Dec.  31st,  1863,  and 
was  assigned  to  Company  A.  He  was  acting  regimental  adjutant 
at  the  time  he  was  killed.  He  was  a  young  man  of  excellent 
character,  fond  of  the  military  service,  zealous  and  ambitious  in 
the  faithful  performance  of  duty,  loved  and  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  carried  a  high  sense  of  honor  from  civil  to  mili 
tary  life,  and  would,  without  doubt,  have  gained  a  higher  rank, 
had  his  life  been  spared.  There  was  one  remarkable  coincidence 
in  his  case/  In  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  May 
12th,  he  was  struck  by  a  spent  musket  ball  and  was  seen  to  throw 
up  both  hands  and  fall.  The  line  passed  on  to  the  charge  and 
we  reported  him  to  Colonel  Chandler  as  having  been  killed, 
supposing  that  such  was  the  case ;  but  in  a  few  moments  he 
rejoined  the  regiment,  saying  that  he  had  only  been  stunned  for  a 
few  seconds ;  after  recovering  and  finding  that  he  was  not  badly 
hurt,  he  followed  up  to  participate  in  the  rest  of  the  engagement. 
Just  before  the  charge  at  Petersburg,  June  17th,  in  speaking  to 
us  of  the  coming  battle,  he  said  that  he  had  a  very  singular  and 
vivid  dream  the  night  before,  in  which  he  portrayed  the  events  of 
the  coming  battle  and  said,  while  he  was  not  a  believer  in  dreams, 


PETERSBURG 


145 


yet  that  had  come  to  him  with  such  realistic  force  that  he  knew  it 
to  be  a  premonition.  He  could  not  be  shaken  in  the  belief  that 
he  was  to  be  killed  that  night.  He  said,  to  convince  us  that  he 
knew  it,  that  he  would  be  hit  in  the  same  place  as  by  the  spent 
ball  at  Spottsylvania.  He  went  forward  with  the  regiment  fully 
convinced  that  he  would  be  killed.  His  premonition  proved 
correct.  The  line  had  not  advanced  far  before  he  fell,  the  ball 
striking  him  in  the  same  place  the  other  did.  His  brother,  who 
belonged  to  the  llth  U.S.  Infantry,  also  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  came  the  next  day  and  took  charge  of  his  remains, 
which  were  buried  upon  the  field  near  where  he  fell.  After  the 
close  of  the  wrar,  they  were  disinterred  and  placed  in  the  National 
Cemetery  near  there. 

The  intrepid  Captain  Doherty  was  there.  When  the  line 
charged  he  wras  leading  his  men  with  his  usual  enthusiasm.  It 
was  not  very  long  before  he  was  struck  and  one  hand  badly 
mangled.  Coming  up  to  us  and  shaking  the  mangled  hand  in 
our  face,  with  the  blood  streaming  and  one  finger  dangling  by  a 
shred  of  mutilated  flesh,  he  said  he  wanted  to  have  us  see  what 

"the  d d  rebels  had  done."  When  advised  to  go  back  to  the 

hospital  he  replied,  "  Do  you  think  I  am  going  to  desert  the 
boys  now?  no  sir,  not  until  we  get  that  battery,"  and  he  kept 
his  word. 

Captain  Tucker  had  been  promoted  to  major  only  a  few  days 
before.  His  wound  was  peculiarly  painful,  cutting  away  part  of 
his  tongue  and  jaw,  depriving  him  at  first  of  the  power  of  speech, 
but  from  which  he  partially  recovered,  returning  to  the  regiment 
later  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel.  Captain  Lawrence, 
who  had  just  recovered  from  a  wound  in  the  neck,  received  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  had  just  returned  to  the  regiment, 
was  wounded  in  the  leg.  General  Burnside  paid  a  very  high 
compliment  to  the  attacking  force  in  this  engagement. 

One  incident  of  pathetic  interest  connected  with  this  battle, 
is  that  of  a  noble,  heroic  young  lad  of  seventeen  years,  Private 
Edward  M.  Schneider  of  Company  K.  His  father  was  Rev.  Benja 
min  Schneider,  D.D.,  a  missionary  in  Antab,  Turkey.  The  story 
of  his  death  has  been  told  before,  but  as  it  belongs  to  the  regi- 

10 


146 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


ment  it  is  entitled  to  a  place  here,  and  can  be  better  told  in  the 
language  of  Chaplain  A.  H.  Dashiell,  who  was  with  him  in  his 
last  hours.  In  a  letter  to  young  Schneider's  sister,  who  was  in 
this  country  at  the  time,  the  chaplain  writes  :  — 

HOSPITAL,  FIRST  DIVISION,  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

Near  PETERSBURG,  VA. 
MY  DEAR  Mrs.  D WIGHT  : 

I  promised  when  I  wrote  briefly  announcing  Edward's  death  to  give 
you  the  particulars  as  soon  as  I  could  find  time  for  the  purpose.  Now, 
after  burying  those  who  were  mortally  wounded  (thirty-eight)  and  sending 
oft' to  Washington  six  hundred  more,  I  take  time  to  perform  this  sacred 
duty.  It  seems  from  what  I  can  learn  that  Edward,  when  the  order  to 
charge  was  given,  pushed  on  in  advance  of  the  company,  determined  to 
be  the  first  to  mount  the  enemy's  works ;  and,  when  within  a  few  paces 
of  them  and  ten  feet  ahead  of  his  company,  he  fell,  shot  through  the 
abdomen.  As  soon  as  he  was  brought  to  the  hospital  he  sent  for 
me  and  I  did  what  I  could  for  his  comfort,  though  he  and  hundreds  of 
others  were  obliged  to  lie  on  the  ground,  as  thick  as  autumnal  leaves. 
The  next  day  when  I  could  learn  more  accurately  the  nature  of  the  wounds, 
I  discovered  that  they  were  mortal,  and  when  pressed  by  him  to  know 
what  I  thought,  my  tears  revealed  to  him  the  truth.  1  thought  of  that 
sister  who  with  tears  had  commended  him  to  me,  and  that  noble  father 
far  away.  I  could  not  restrain  them.  Soon  Doctor  White,  Surgeon  of 
the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  and  Mr  Westwood  came  up  and  con 
firmed  my  opinion,  and  he  expressed  his  hearty  acquiescence  in  the  will 
of  God.  The  captain  of  his  company  came  up,  and  when  asked  what 
message  he  should  bear  back  to  his  companions,  said :  "  Tell  them  to 
stand  by  the  dear  old  flag,"  with  a  touching  tenderness  in  his  tone. 
When  told  that  he  had  but  a  few  hours  to  live  he  looked  up  at  me  with 
a  smile,  and  repeated  the  verse  of  the  song,  which  is  sung  by  the 
soldiers :  — 

Soon  with  angels  I'll  be  marching, 
With  bright  laurels  on  my  brow  ; 

I  have  for  my  country  fallen, 
Who  will  care  for  sister  now? 

In  the  original  lines  it  is  "mother."  You  understand  the  change.  I  put 
him  in  charge  of  my  servant,  as  other  duties  called  me  away.  In  the 
evening  he  sent  for  me ;  indeed,  poor  fellow,  I  could  not  go  near  him 
without  his  calling  to  me.  I  was  all  he  had  to  cling  to  of  home  and 
friends  excepting  those  he  made  at  the  time.  I  sat  down  beside  him  in 
a  Sibly  tent,  whither  he  had  been  removed,  and  he  gave  me  these  mes 
sages  to  you.  First,  he  desired  me  to  assure  his  father  and  you  that  he 
died  happy  in  the  Lord,  in  the  fulness  of  hope  to  which  I  can  bear 


PETERSBURG. 


147 


testimony.  His  face  shone  like  an  angel's;  God  had  been  disciplining 
him  and  preparing  him  for  glory,  as  I  have  remarked,  for  weeks 
past,  as  we  have  passed  through  these  terrible  scenes  of  battle  and 
suffering. 

He  said  that  he  had  done  his  duty  to  his  country  and  felt  happy  in 

that  too.     He  then  adverted  to  you  and  to  A ,  told  me  his  relation 

to  her,  the  tenderness  of  his  fraternal  attachment  to  her  ....  *  and 
this  message  to  his  brothers  :  "  Stand  by  the  dear  old  flag  and  cling  to  the 
cross  of  Christ."  ....  Before  dawn  I  was  up  getting  the  wounded  into 
wagons  and  ambulances  to  be  removed  to  City  Point  and  he  sent  me  a 
message  to  come  to  him.  I  was  so  engaged  that  I  could  not  go  at  the 
moment.  I  said  "presently."  In  a  few  moments  I  went  and  he  was 
gone.  I  stood  and  wept. 

After  breakfast  I  took  my  burying  party  and  prepared  graves  for 
many  besides  him,  but  I  could  not  bury  him  in  a  trench  with  the  rest,  so 
I  dug  his  grave  beside  a  tree  about  a  rod  from  the  public  road  and  nailed 
a  board,  on  which  Mr.  West-wood  inscribed:  "Ed.  M.,  son  of  Rev. 
Doctor  Schneider  of  Antab,  Turkey,  of  Company  K,  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts  Regiment  of  Infantry,"  and  having  closed  the  grave,  I 
left  him  to  await  the  great  summons  which  is  to  awaken  us  all. 

He  greatly  impressed  all  who  came  near  him  with  the  sweetness  of 
his  spirit,  and  the  calm  bravery  with  which  he  met  death.  I  forgot  to 
say  that  when  he  requested  me  to  publish  a  notice  of  his  death,  he  wished 
me  to  understand  that  it  was  not  to  give  notoriety  to  his  name  but  to 
acquaint  his  numerous  friends  of  his  death  .... 
Your  brother  in  Christ, 

A.  H.  DASHIELL,  Jr., 

Chaplain,  57th  Mass. 

The  war  correspondent  (Carleton)  of  the  Boston  Journal, 
after  learning  the  facts  in  Schneider's  case  from  the  chaplain, 
wrote  the  following  beautiful  tribute  to  his  memory  : — 

"  On  the  march  from  Annapolis,  though  but  seventeen  years 
old  and  unaccustomed  to  hardships,  Schneider  kept  his  place  in  the 
ranks,  not  once  falling  out,  from  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake  to 
the  Rapidan.  He  was  slightly  wounded  at  the  battle  of  North 
Anna  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  but  when  badgered  by  one 
of  his  comrades  as  to  the  slightness  of  the  wound,  he  returned 
to  the  front  at  Cold  Harbor,  though  the  flesh  wound  was  unhealed 
and  painful.  While  preparing  for  the  charge  on  the  enemy's 
works,  with  the  purpose  of  removing  any  suspicion  of  his  courage, 


The  omission  refers  to  the  disposition  of  his  effects.— J.  A. 


148  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

he  said,  '  I  mean  to  be  the  first  to  mount  the  enemy's  breast 
works.'  The  charge  was  made,  how  grandly  they  moved  through 
the  woods,  how  swiftly  they  swept  up  to  the  line  of  rebel  works, 
like  an  ocean  billow  upon  a  breakwater,  rolling  over  and  engulf 
ing  all.  The  brave  boy  determined  to  make  good  his  words. 
With  eager  step  he  led  the  advance,  breaking  out  from  the  line. 
He  was  almost  near  enough  to  feel  the  hot  flash  of  the  rebel 
musketry  in  his  face,  near  enough  to  be  covered  with  the  sul 
phurous  cloud  from  the  cannon,  when  he  fell  shot  through  the 
body 

"  On  the  17th  of  June,  eighty-nine  years  ago,  the  sires  of 
freedom  gave  their  lives  on  Bunker  Hill  for  God  and  their  native 
land.  Not  less  worthy  of  remembrance  are  those  who  fell  in 
front  of  Petersburg  on  this  memorable  day.  His  dying  words, 
'  Stand  by  the  dear  old  flag  and  cling  to  the  cross  of  Christ,'  em 
blems  of  all  we  hold  dear  on  earth  and  in  heaven,  will  live  as  long 
as  the  flag  shall  wave  and  the  cross  of  Christ  is  known." 

Only  a  private  soldier,  but,  oh,  how  grand  and  noble  !  Did 
ever  armored  knight  or  plumed  warrior  win  a  clearer  title  to  the 
laurel  crown  ?  The  poor  boy  gave  his  young  life  so  full  of  hope 
and  promise  to  his  beloved  country.  Others  there  were,  yes, 
hundreds  and  thousands,  who  fell  just  as  bravely  and  nobly  in 
the  front  rank,  and  their  lives  passed  out  amid  the  din  and  roar 
of  battle  with  no  parting  valedictory  to  immortalize  their  names, 
but  they  left  an  imperishable  record  which  coming  generations  will 
honor,  and  love  the  flag  and  country  more,  when  they  realize  what 
sacrifices  have  been  made  for  them.  Such  blood  given  to  such  a 
cause  is  never  shed  in  vain,  it  is  woven  into  the  very  fabric  of  our 
government.  As  long  as  our  manhood  lives,  so  long  will  the 
memory  of  such  men  remain  the  life  and  hope  and  strength  of 
American  patriotism. 

Letters  carelessly  written  from  the  front  at  such  a  time  have 
become  of  more  value  since,  as  transmitting  the  thoughts  and 
feelings  of  the  army  during  those  times.  A  letter  written  by  Cap 
tain  Barton  to  his  friends  in  Worcester  gives  a  very  correct  picture 
of  the  battle  scene  of  the  1 7th  of  June  :  — 


PETERSBURG. 


149 


IN  LINE  OF  BATTLE  NEAR  PETERSBURG,  VA., 

June  20th,   1864. 
DEAR  — 

I  know  you  must  feel  anxious  about  me,  for  in  my  last  letter  of  tlie 
17th,  I  told  you  that  we  were  "•  going  in  "  to  make  a  charge.  The  order 
came  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  that  the  First  Division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps  was  to  charge  upon  the  enemy's  breastworks  at  sundown. 
The  Second  Division  had  already  made  one  charge  and  was  driven  back 
Avith  a  heavy  loss  and  now  the  First  Division  has  to  try  it.  The  chances 
were  certainly  very  dubious.  The  general  who  now  commands  our  divi 
sion  sent  word  by  one  of  his  start' officers  that  he  depended  upon  his  old 
first  brigade,  our  brigade.  We  laid  down  upon  our  arms  in  a  ravine  for 
nearly  two  hours,  so  that  we  had  plenty  of  time  to  think  of  our  chances 
for  coming  out  all  right.  About  eight  o'clock  the  order  came  for  ns  to 
advance  to  the  level  ground  beyond  the  ravine  and  then  to  lie  down  and 
wait  for  the  order  tl  Forward."  It  was  a  trying  moment;  watches  and 
other  valuables  were  handed  to  one  who  was  not  going  in.  I  handed  him 
my  watch  scarcely  expecting  to  see  it  again.  The  shot  and  shell  were 
flying  around  us  in  good  style,  for  the  "•  rebs  "  had  a  good  range  upon 
us,  but  as  we  were  lying  down  only  few  were  wounded.  Now  comes  a 
little  personal  matter.  I  laid  with  my  company  just  in  a  hollow  exposed 
to  a  raking  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry.  As  I  was  looking  out  for  my 
men,  cautioning  them  to  lie  low,  I  overheard  someone  say  "  Look  out." 
I  glanced  to  the  left  and  saw  a  solid  shot  coming  directly  towards  me. 
I  had  just  time  enough  to  whirl  over  on  my  left  side,  when  it  struck  just 
in  the  place  where  I  Avas  lying,  grazing  my  right  arm  and  tearing  my 
coat  sleeve  almost  entirely  oft1,  smashing  a  musket  belonging  to  Sergeant 
McFarland  and  covering  my  1st  sergeant  with  sand.  TAVO  or  three  of 
our  officers  came  running  to  me,  thinking  I  Avas  either  killed  or  badly 
wounded.  I  Avas  adATised  by  the  commanding  officer,  Captain  Tucker,  to 
go  to  the  rear,  which  of  course  I  declined  to  do  when  I  found  it  Avas 
only  a  slight  contusion.  In  about  ten  minutes  the  order  ''Attention!" 
came,  then  "  ForAvard,  double-quick!  "  and  through  such  a  fire  of  grape 
and  canister,  solid  shot,  railroad  iron,  minies  and  I  do  not  knoAV  what 
all.  With  a  regular  Yankee  yell  w~e  went  through  it  and  upon  the  rebel 
intrenchments ;  then  it  was  "blaze  aAvay."  The  rebs  were  staggered, 
the  movement  Avas  too  rapid  and  impetuous.  It  was  amusing  to  see 
some  of  our  boys  grab  a  reb,  ;t  hustle"  him  OA'er  the  rifle  pits  and  take 
him  to  the  rear  as  a  prisoner.  They  did  not  seem  at  all  loath  to  be 
taken,  but  many  of  them  rushed  into  our  lines  of  their  OAvn  free  Avill. 
We  held  the  works  until  our  ammunition  gaAre  out  and  then  were  obliged 
to  fall  back.  We  lost  in  that  charge  ten  enlisted  men  killed,  twenty-six 
Avounded  and  three  missing  ....  We  are  to  have  an  inspection  this 
morning,  so  I  cannot  stop  to  Avrite  more.  General  Burnside  said  he  ex 
pected  Ave  would  be  repulsed,  as  he  thought  the  position  too  strong  to  be 
carried  by  infantry. 


150  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  a  regular  siege.  Heavy 
guns  and  mortars  were  brought  up,  placed  in  position  and  com 
menced  dropping  shells  into  the  enemy's  works,  some  into 
Petersburg.  With  our  close  proximity  the  city  could  have  been 
destroyed,  but  Lee's  army,  and  not  this,  was  the  objective  upon 
which  the  blows  were  to  fall.  Both  armies  now  went  to  work  to 
strengthen  their  positions.  Intrenchments  were  dug.  These  con 
sisted  of  redoubts,  connected  by  lines  of  infantry  parapets,  in 
front  of  which  were  ditches,  abatis  and  other  obstacles  to  protect 
the  works  from  a  sortie  by  the  enemy.  While  this  was  going  on 
a  constant  firing  was  kept  up  by  both  sides  along  the  picket  line 
and  the  artillery  on  the  main  line. 

A  brief  description  of  the  line  of  intrenchments  may  not  be 
out  of  place.  First,  a  trench  would  be  dug  about  three  feet  deep 
and  from  six  to  eight  in  width.  The  earth  thus  removed  was 
thrown  toward  the  front,  the  inner  face  being  supported  by  hori 
zontal  logs,  which  prevented  the  embankment  from  falling  back 
ao-ain  into  the  trench.  After  the  embankment  had  been  raised  in 

& 

this  way  about  five  or  six  feet,  sacks  were  filled  with  sand  and 
placed  upon  the  top  until  it  had  reached  the  required  elevation, 
high  enough  to  protect  a  man  standing  in  rear ;  the  line  of  parapets 
thus  constructed,  running  in  broken  lines,  forming  projecting 
angles  at  irregular  intervals,  with  the  apices  pointing  towards  the 
enemy,  in  which  artillery  was  placed  in  such  a  way  as  to  bring 
both  a  front  and  flank  fire  upon  any  charging  column.  The 
ditch,  abatis  and  chevaux  de  frise  in  front  have  heretofore  been 
described.  Of  ten '  loopholes  were  left  between  the  rows  of  sand 
bags,  at  convenient  intervals,  for  the  purpose  of  observation. 
No  musketry  firing  was  permitted  from  the  main  line  of  works,  as 
it  would  not  only  be  a  waste  of  ammunition,  but  would  endanger 
the  safety  of  our  own  pickets  in  front. 

Interior  works  were  also  constructed  in  which  were  placed 
mortar  guns.  These  were  short  cannon,  with  a  very  large  bore 
and  firing  heavy  shells.  They  were  placed  in  position  at  an 
elevated  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees.  During  the  darkness 
of  night  the  mortar  firing  became  rather  interesting.  A  heavy 
boom  could  be  heard  from  the  Confederate  side,  when  almost 


PETERSBURG. 


151 


instantly  the  burning  fuse,  attached  to  the  projectile,  could  be  seen 
rapidly  ascending  like  a  very  red  star,  describing  a  curved  line 
until  reaching  its  greatest  altitude,  then  commencing  to  fall.  As 
the  propelling  force  became  expended  it  would  fall  to  the  ground 
in  a  nearly  vertical  line.  They  would  explode  with  great  force 
soon  after  falling.  These  could  be  easily  dodged  at  night  by 
watching  the  direction  taken,  as  shown  by  the  burning  fuse,  but  in 
the  day  the  fuse  could  not  be  seen,  hence  they  often  proved 
destructive.  Answering  shots  went  from  our  own  side.  Watch 
ing  their  course  through  the  sky  they  could  be  seen  to  drop  inside 
the  enemy's  works,  and  soon  after  their  explosion  could  be 
heard. 

Parallel  and  transverse  works  were  constructed  and  passage 
ways  left  which  could  be  opened  and  closed  to  permit  the  picket 
details  to  go  out  or  in.  The  pickets  were  posted  about  two  or 
three  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  main  line,  and  had  to  be 
posted  and  relieved  after  dark  each  night.  An  attempt  to  post 
them  during  the  day  would  probably  result  in  the  killing  of  every 
man.  The  pickets  had  little  holes  dug  in  the  ground,  just  about 
large  enough  to  hold  two  or  three  men.  Upon  the  approach 
of  daylight  everyone  had  to  keep  concealed ;  any  exposure 
would  almost  surely  result  in  getting  hit.  These  holes  were  at 
convenient  distances  from  each  other;  once  in,  after  daylight, 
and  the  men  had  to  remain  there  until  after  dark.  As  the  sun 
approached  the  meridian  these  holes  became  intensely  hot,  but 
there  was  nothing  to  do  but  bear  it.  The  pickets  along  the  lines 
kept  up  a  constant  firing.  Little  loopholes  were  arranged  through 
which  they  could  fire  and  at  the  same  time  observe  what  was 
going  on  in  front.  The  men  remaining  back  in  the  trenches 
could  protect  themselves  from  the  sun  by  stretching  pieces  of 
shelter  tents  from  the  breastworks  over  the  trench.  The  officers 
were  just  behind  the  men  ;  several  of  them  would  join  together 
and  have  a  hole  dug  in  the  ground,  about  two  or  three  feet  deep, 
and  twelve  or  fourteen  wide,  the  top  covered  with  logs,  and  over 
these  the  earth  from  the  excavation  would  be  thrown.  These 
proved  a  partial  protection  from  the  enemy's  mortars,  but  were 
excessively  hot  during  the  day,  so  that  tent  flies  were  erected 


152 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


outside.  Day  after  day  the  sinews  of  war  closed  tighter  and 
stronger  around  the  doomed  Confederacy.  Our  own  works  were 
made  strong  in  order  that  they  could  be  held  by  a  reduced  force, 
so  that  large  bodies  could  be  spared  to  operate  towards  the 
enemy's  flank  and,  if  possible,  sever  his  communications  with  the 
South  and  thereby  cut  off  one  great  source  by  which  he  obtained 
his  supplies. 

On  the  21st  the  right  of  the  Ninth  Corps  was  extended  to 
cover  the  positions  held  by  the  Second  and  Sixth  and  to  connect 
with  the  left  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps.  The  Second  and  Sixth 
proceeded  to  operate  towards  the  Weldon  Railroad.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  Fourth  Division  (colored)  of  the  Ninth  Corps  joined 
from  detached  duty  guarding  the  wagon  trains,  and  took  its  place 
in  the  trenches.  The  arrival  of  colored  troops  in  their  front 
seemed  to  provoke  the  Confederates  to  increased  anger,  which 
they  manifested  by  constant  and  persistent  firing  along  that 
portion  of  the  line  which  they  occupied,  it  being  heavier  and  more 
malicious  here  than  at  any  other  point.  Every  day,  during  this  long 
siege,  could  be  called  one  of  battle,  as  there  was  not  a  day  when 
it  was  safe  for  a  head  to  appear  where  the  enemy  could  see  it,  or 
a  day  without  casualties.  It  is  not  our  purpose  to  follow  the 
movements  of  all  the  different  corps  and  divisions  of  the  army 
during  this  period,  only  those  in  which  the  Fifty-Seventh  partici 
pated.  Duty  in  the  trenches  was  anything  but  pleasant,  and  no 
one,  but  those  who  went  through  it,  can  realize  the  trying  ordeal 
which  those  men  endured  who  were  on  the  picket  line.  The  pickets 
were  relieved  every  twenty-four  hours,  so  that  the  same  men  were 
not  there  all  the  time.  The  details  were  so  arranged  that  each 
man's  turn  would  come  about  every  four  or  five  days.  Posted  at 
night,  the  men  took  their  canteens  full  of  water,  and  rations  to 
carry  them  through  the  day.  Once  there,  sick  or  well,  they  could 
only  get  back  after  dark.  The  constant  crack  of  the  rifle,  the 
whiz  of  the  sharpshooters'  bullet  and  the  deep  booming  mortars 
rendered  everything  very  unsafe  that  came  near  the  front. 

Reference  has  been  made  to  the  sinking  of  the  barge, 
General  McClellan,  en  route  from  Yorktown  to  City  Point,  with 
officers'  baggage,  company  and  regimental  records,  etc.  The 


PETERSBURG. 


153 


loss  of  the  records  was  not  regretted  so  much  at  the  time  as  the 
loss  of  the  clothing.  There  was  much  inconvenience  resulting 
from  this  and  the  officers  had  to  get  along  the  best  they  could 
until  the  arrival  of  a  new  supply  from  home.  The  loss  of  the 
records  proved  a  never-ending  source  of  complications  when 
muster  rolls  had  to  be  made  out,  and  is  now  a  great  obstacle 
to  contend  with  in  writing  a  complete  history. 

The  regiment  continued  to  occupy  the  trenches  that  had 
been  captured  from  the  enemy  June  17th  and  18th,  no  serious 
engagement  taking  place  up  to  July  30th.  During  this  time 
many  of  the  officers  and  men  who  had  been  away  on  account  of 
sickness  or  wounds,  having  recovered,  returned  to  duty ;  but  the 
number  who  were  killed  and  those  who  were  taken  away  by 
wounds  or  sickness,  kept  the  regiment  gradually  growing  smaller 
and  smaller.  The  number  returning  did  not  make  good  the  losses. 
During  the  interval  between  June  17th  and  July  30th,  the  regi 
ment  lost  one  officer  killed  and  five  wounded. 

The  Second  and  Sixth  Corps  now  commenced  operations  to 
gain  possession  of  the  Weldon  Railroad,  but  were  attacked  by  the 
Confederates  and  repulsed,  with  a  loss  of  about  two  thousand 
men,  four  guns  and  several  stands  of  colors,  subsequently  ad 
vancing  and  regaining  the  position  from  which  they  had  been 
driven,  and  intrenching  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  railroad. 
The  two  armies  now  remained  in  their  relative  positions  for 
several  weeks.  From  the  very  beginning  of  the  campaign  the 
tide  of  battle  had  rolled  steadily  towards  the  left  and  continued  so, 
with  few  exceptions,  to  the  end.  Many  incidents  of  that  long  and 
blood3T  siege  will  ever  be  remembered.  The  Fifty-Seventh  con 
tinued  to  give  and  take.  There  was  no  cessation ;  night  and  day 
the  dogs  of  war  continued  to  bark.  The  old  and  familiar  saying 
that  "  barking  dogs  never  bite  "  was  not  true  in  this  case. 

Extracts  from  private  letters  written  home  from  the  regiment 
at  that  time  will,  no  doubt,  prove  of  interest  to  many  of  our 
readers,  as  they  express  the  situation  and  feelings  of  our  men 
better  than  anything  else.  One  written  July  3d,  signed  "  G.F.S.," 
speaks  of  the  programme  for  the  coming  National  holiday 
(July  4th)  in  the  following  humorous  style:  "  We  are  lying  just 


154  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

before  Petersburg.     Tomorrow  is  July  4th I  guess  there 

will  be  some  lengthy  orations  delivered  here  by  the  speakers  of 
the  times.  Mr.  'Parrot,'  Mr.  'Mortar,'  Mr.  'Columbiad'  and 
several  gentlemen  from  Springfield  will  address  the  multitude. 
Their  arguments  are  very  weighty  and  will  undoubtedly  make  a 
great  impression  upon  Confederate  minds.  Mr.  Grant  of  Illinois 
will  be  president  of  the  ceremonies  and  his  ability  to  preserve 
good  order  is  well  known.  He  will,  however,  be  assisted  by 
strong  bodies  of  police  under  command  of  Generals  Meade, 
Burnside,  Hancock,  Smith  and  Butler.  In  the  evening  there  will 
be  a  grand  displa}7  of  fireworks,  such  as  was  never  before  witnessed. 
The  committee,  of  which  Abraham  Lincoln  is  chairman,  has 
arranged  everything  so  as  to  make  it  one  of  the  grandest  affairs 
of  the  age.  "We  are  all  confident  that  no  pains  will  be  spared  on 
the  part  of  Mr.  Lincoln  and  Mr.  Grant  to  make  it  pass  off  in  a 
satisfactory  manner." 

A  letter  written  the  day  after  the  4th  of  July,  signed 
"  G.  E.  B."  gives  a  very  good  description  of  our  situation.  "  After 
all  we  passed  a  very  quiet  4th,  with  just  enough  firing  to  make  it 
seem  natural.  The  sharpshooters  kept  up  a  continuous  fire,  which 
made  it  almost  dangerous  to  be  safe.  There  seems  to  be  very 
little  going  on  at  present  in  front  of  us.  The  pickets  are  regularly 

relieved  every  night The  process  of  relieving  pickets  is 

this  :  the  new  pickets  are  ordered  to  report  to  the  brigade  officer 
of  the  day,  at  the  right  and  rear  of  the  brigade  line,  about  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  detail  consisting  of  two  lieutenants  and 
one  hundred  men  from  our  brigade.  After  having  reported  to 
the  officer  of  the  day  he  sees  that  they  are  properly  divided  into 
two  divisions  of  fifty  men  each  and  places  a  lieutenant  in  charge 
of  each  division,  then  gives  his  instructions.  The  old  officer  of 
the  day  and  we  start  for  the  picket  line.  By  this  time  it  is  almost 
pitch  darkness  and  we  go  stumbling  along  through  the  woods 
until  we  reach  the  outer  edge,  where  an  open  field  has  to  be 
crossed  before  wre  can  reach  our  old  pickets  who  are  waiting 
anxiously  to  be  relieved,  for  they  have  been  out  all  day  in  a 
broiling  sun,  to  say  nothing  of  all  the  night  before.  A  heavy 
fog  has  settled  upon  the  field,  which  renders  it  almost  impossible 


PETERSBURG.  155 

for  the  "Johnnies"  to  see  us  distinctly,  nevertheless  the  bullets 
sing  around  our  heads  very  unpleasantly.  Having  crossed  the 
field  we  find  ourselves  just  under  the  brow  of  a  hill.  Here  we 
form  into  line  and  the  officer  of  the  picket  gives  the  men  their 
orders.  The  line  must  be  held  at  all  hazards,  there  being  no 
retreat.  No  man  is  to  discharge  his  rifle  unless  he  sees  some 
thing  to  fire  at.  The  pickets  then  deploy  from  the  right  and  left 
and  take  possession  of  the  pits,  which  are  just  large  enough  to 
hold  two  men.  The  men  from  the  old  picket  then  creep  carefully 
out,  take  the  '  double  quick '  down  the  hill,  every  man  for  him 
self.  '  Zip,'  '  zip  '  go  the  bullets  after  them,  but  what  in  the  day 
time  would  be  sure  death,  at  night  is  uncertain." 

July  19th  1st  Lieut.  E.  Dexter  Cheney  was  shot  through  the 
head  by  a  Confederate  sharpshooter,  and  almost  instantly  killed. 
Several  of  us  had  arranged  to  get  up  early  that  morning  and  go 
out  to  witness  the  firing  of  the  mortar  guns.  When  the  time  came 
we  had  to  look  out  for  getting  the  breakfast,  while  the  others 
were  either  too  lazy  or  had  lost  their  inclination,  hence  he  started 
off  alone.  In  about  ten  minutes  a  man  came  running  back  with 
the  information  that  he  had  been  killed.  Several  of  us  ran  to 
him  as  quickly  as  possible  and  found  him  lying  upon  the  ground 
with  the  brains  and  blood  oozing  from  the  wound  through  the 
head.  Nothing  could  be  done  for  him  and  he  expired  in  a  few 
moments.  His  remains  were  embalmed  and  sent  to  his  home  in 
Worcester,  Mass.,  where  his  parents  resided,  and  he  was  buried 
from  the  Salem  Street  Congregational  Church,  July  28th. 

Lieutenant  Cheney  first  enlisted  in  Company  F  of  the  51st 
Massachusetts  in  the  autumn  of  1862,  and  was  appointed  a 
sergeant  in  the  same  company.  He  served  in  that  regiment  with 
honor  until  discharged  by  reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  service. 
Very  soon  thereafter  he  was  recommended  to  His  Excellency, 
Governor  Andrew,  for  a  commission,  and  was  appointed  a  first 
lieutenant  in  the  Fifty-Seventh,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
Dec.  31st,  1863.  He  was  a  young  man  of  high  personal 
character  and  greatly  esteemed,  of  a  quiet,  thoughtful  disposition 
and  one  who  always  acted  from  conscientious  motives  without 
regard  to  whether  they  were  in  popular  favor  or  not ;  strictly 


156  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

temperate,  kind  and  considerate  of  others,  a  zealous  officer,  and 
loyal  in  his  devotion  to  friends.  He  was  one  of  those  who  could 
always  be  relied  upon  and  whose  worth  grew  from  day  to  day  in 
the  estimation  of  those  with  whom  he  was  associated.  His  death 
was  deeply  lamented  by  the  whole  regiment. 

After  having  remained  in  the  front  line  for  a  long  time  the 
regiment  was  withdrawn  (about  July  20th)  from  this  arduous 
duty  and  placed  in  the  second  line,  about  one  half  mile  in  rear 
of  the  first.  The  besieging  force  being  formed  in  two  lines, 
there  was  not  as  much  danger  from  the  sharpshooters  in  the 
second  line,  but  more  from  the  mortar  firing.  Many  were  killed 
and  wounded  by  fragments  from  the  bursting  ten-inch  shells 
which  frequently  dropped  into  the  trenches. 

July  20th,  a  shell  fired  from  a  Confederate  mortar  exploded 
in  the  trenches  occupied  by  the  Fifty- Seventh,  creating  con 
siderable  havoc.  1st  Sergt.  Charles  L.  De  Fose  (afterwards 
2d  lieutenant)  and  Corp.  Samuel  Allman  of  Company  C  were 
wounded.  The  latter  was  struck  by  a  piece  of  shell  about  the 
size  of  a  man's  hand,  making  a  ghastly  wound  in  his  face  and 
badly  lacerating  his  left  arm. 

The  Confederates  seemed  to  be  unusually  active  and  continued 
sending  their  shells  into  our  lines  with  but  few  intermissions. 

The  regiment  did  not  remain  long  in  the  second  line,  but 
soon  returned  to  the  front  and  took  up  the  work  of  holding  the 
advanced  works  and  picket  duty  again. 

The  breech-loading  magazine  rifles  had  been  received,  with 
which  Company  K  was  armed  and  placed  under  command  of 
1st  Lieut.  John  H.  Cook.  July  22d  Lieutenant  Cook  worked  his 
way  over  the  parapets,  and  partly  concealed  by  large  trees,  gained 
a  position  from  which  he  could  get  a  good  range  upon  the  enemy, 
for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  new  repeating  rifle,  which  at  that  time 
was  quite  a  novelty  and  looked  upon  with  considerable  confidence. 
In  stepping  from  behind  a  tree  to  fire  he  became  exposed  to  a 
Confederate  sharpshooter,  whose  unerring  aim  sent  a  bullet  into 
his  body,  penetrating  his  left  side.  It  was  afterwards  extracted 
near  the  spine.  This  wound  was  considered  of  such  a  serious 
character  that  faint  hopes  were  entertained  of  his  recovery.  He 


JOHN   H.    COOK, 


1st  Lieut.  57th  Mass.,  Bvt.  Maj.  US.  Vols. 


PETERSBURG 


157 


was  taken  to  the  hospital  where,  for  clays,  he  hovered  between  life 
and  death,  but  through  the  skilful  treatment  of  Surgeon  Whitman 
V.  White,  good  nursing  and  an  indomitable  will,  united  with  a 
strong,  healthy  constitution,  he  recovered  sufficiently  to  be 
removed  to  Washington,  where  he  was  joined  by  his  mother  and 
taken  to  his  home  in  Massachusetts,  where  he  survived  for  many 
years,  but  subsequently  died  from  complications  arising  from  the 
effects  of  his  wound. 

About  this  time  1st  Lieut.  John  L.  Goodwin,  who  had  been 
absent  on  account  of  a  wound  received  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  returned  and  took  command  of  his  company ;  but  in 
less  than  forty-eight  hours  after  joining,  received  another  through 
the  foot,  breaking  several  of  the  smaller  bones  and  disabling  him 
from  further  duty  as  an  infantry  man.  He  was  discharged 
Nov.  29th,  1864.  Prior  to  his  discharge  he  had  been  pro 
moted  to  the  grade  of  captain  to  date  July  31st,  1864,  but  was 
not  mustered  as  such,  on  account  of  a  War  Department  order  that 
no  officer  should  be  mustered  while  absent  from  his  command,  and 
he  was  not  able  to  return  to  it. 

The  constant  firing  and  shelling  between  the  lines  increased 
the  number  of  casualties.  1st  Sergt.  E.  D.  McFarland  was  shot 
through  both  wrists.  Within  six  days  two  officers  were  killed 
and  six  wounded. 

The  sufferings  from  heat  and  exposure  endured  by  the  men 
in  the  trenches  and  on  the  picket  line,  from  the  17th  of  June  to 
the  30th  of  July,  can  never  be  described.  The  hospital  records 
give  only  a  faint  idea  of  them.  Sleeping  in  holes  dug  in  the 
ground,  exposed  to  the  hot  rays  of  the  sun  at  one  time  and  rains 
at  another,  produced  considerable  sickness.  We  have  passed  the 
sick  list  with  hardly  a  mention,  our  space  having  been  devoted  to 
those  killed  and  wounded.  Many  died  from  sickness  and  suffered 
as  much  as  those  who  were  wounded.  There  was  a  feeling  of 
pride  against  going  to  the  hospital,  except  with  a  wound,  hence 
many  sick  ones  remained  in  the  trenches  and  suffered  day  after 
day  before  giving  up. 

The  facilities  for  keeping  clean  were  very  meagre.  Under 
such  circumstances  it  is  not  surprising  that  many  became  infested 


158 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


with  a  loathsome  insect,  which  occupied  a  considerable  portion  of 
each  day  to  get  rid  of.  Every  morning,  before  it  became  hot, 
men  could  be  seen  in  the  trenches  with  some  portion  of  their 
clothing  off,  turned  inside  out,  and  carefully  hunting  along  the 
seams,  with  all  their  thoughts  concentrated  upon  their  new  enemy, 
which  was  named  in  honor  of  the  Confederates,  "  gray  backs," 
because  while  their  bite  was  not  quite  so  fatal,  yet  they  were  about 
as  annoying.  Many  who  had  been  reared  in  the  luxury  of  refined 
homes  counted  it  no  dishonor  to  battle  with  this  new  adversary, 
as  long  as  it  was  in  the  service  of  their  country.  It  was  a  pictur 
esque  sight  and  became  the  source  of  much  fun  and  many 
jokes.  The  matter  was  looked  upon  philosophically.  There  was 
very  little  complaining  or  grumbling ;  any  disposition  to  do  this 
was  put  to  shame  by  some  cheerful  minded  comrade  who  would 
ask  a  would-be  growler  how  he  would  like  to  exchange  for 
Andersonville.  The  very  sound  of  that  name  would  put  the 
worst  among  them  to  shame  and  cause  all  their  sufferings  to 
pale  into  insignificance  and  eventually  appear  as  blessings  in 
comparison. 

There  was  not  an  army  in  the  field  better  cared  for  than  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  rations  were  good  in  quality  and 
ample  in  quantity.  Fresh  vegetables  were  issued  twice  a  week 
and  everything  possible  was  done  for  the  health  and  comfort  of 
the  men,  and  they  realized  it.  But  there  is  really  no  soft,  up 
holstered  side  to  real  war.  The  silken  drapery  that  lends  to  it  a 
distant  charm  is  never  found  in  fact,  and  exists  only  in  romantic 
fancy. 

Besides  what  our  government  did  for  the  soldiers  there  were 
those  two  noble  institutions,  supported  by  the  generous  and  loyal 
people  of  the  North,  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commissions. 
The  good  which  they  accomplished  was  incalculable.  No  honor 
able  soldier  ever  turned  to  them  with  vain  pleading.  Their  out 
stretched  arms  relieved  every  want  and  every  pain  as  far  as  human 
strength  could  do.  There  were  tender-hearted  nurses,  ladies  of 
refinement,  who  were  found  in  all  the  hospitals  to  do  a  woman's 
part ;  the  Sisters  of  Charity  flitting  here  and  there  among  the 
wounded  and  suffering  :  women  whose  characters  were  so  pure  and 


PETERSBURG. 


159 


spotless  that  not  a  shadow  of  suspicion  could  enter  even  the 
thoughts  of  brave  and  honorable  men.  Such  influences  extended 
through  every  regiment  and  company  in  the  army.  It  seemed  as 
if  the  soldiers'  friends  from  home  were  there  to  administer  to 
them ;  it  showed  them  that  they  were  not  forgotten,  it  showed 
that  there  was  a  great  reservoir  of  loyalty  behind  from  which  they 
could  draw.  It  helped  all  those  who  needed  it  and  encouraged  all 
others. 

As  we  pass  along  before  the  picture  of  life  in  the  trenches, 
we  suddenly  come  to  points  of  more  than  usual  interest — one 
which  we  will  look  at  but  momentarily,  the  24th  of  July,  1864. 
There  was  a  small  "bomb-proof,"  about  twenty  feet  behind  the 
trenches,  occupied  by  the  regiment.  It  was  about  twelve  feet 
square  and  just  high  enough  for  a  short  man  to  stand  erect  inside. 
It  being  rather  of  a  hot  hole  in  which  to  spend  the  day,  a  small 
arbor  was  built  just  outside  and  covered  with  branches  and  old 
canvas  as  a  protection  from  the  sun.  Several  officers  occupied 
this  together,  sitting  under  the  arbor  during  the  day.  The  location 
was  just  to  the  left  of  one  of  our  batteries,  at  which  the  Con 
federates  were  throwing  ten-inch  mortar  shells,  as  a  return  com 
pliment  for  what  they  were  receiving.  We  were  sitting  on  an 
empty  cracker  box  under  the  arbor,  while  near  us  were  Captain 
Galucia  of  the  56th  Massachusetts,  who  was  brigade  officer  of  the 
day,  and  Lieutenants  Barton  and  Royce  lying  upon  a  blanket 
spread  upon  the  ground,  all  chatting  and  reading  a  batch  of 
papers  that  had  just  been  received,  when  Lieutenant  Bowman 
joined  us  from  the  hospital.  Presently  he  said  that  Lieutenant 
Cook,  who  was  in  the  hospital  badly  wounded  and  not  expected 
to  live,  was  very  anxious  to  see  us.  We  jumped  up  and  started 
at  once.  As  we  went  out  Lieutenant  Bowman  took  our  seat  on 
the  cracker  box  and  commenced  writing  a  letter  to  a  young  lady 
to  whom,  it  was  said,  he  was  engaged.  We  had  proceeded  but  a 
short  distance  when  a  loud  explosion  was  heard.  Turning  quickly 
around  we  saw  a  cloud  of  smoke  and  dust  arising  from  our 
"  bomb-proof."  Upon  returning  it  was  found  in  ruins.  All  the 
officers  whom  we  had  left  there,  together  with  Acting  Sergeant- 
Major  Doty,  were  in  the  debris  and  all  more  or  less  injured.  As 


160 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


there  had  been  many  rumors  of  mining  and  countermining,  we 
were  at  first  under  the  impression  that  the  enemy  had  undertaken 
to  blow  up  the  fort,  and  missing  his  engineering  calculations,  had 
taken  our  "bomb-proof"  instead.  It  was  soon  discovered,  how 
ever,  that  the  destruction  had  been  caused  by  a  mortar  shell  in 
tended  for  the  battery  and  which  had  fallen  into  the  little  arbor 
in  the  midst  of  the  group  of  officers.  There  was  no  warning 
sound ;  the  destroying  messenger  fell  swiftly  and  silently  into 
their  midst  and  exploded  directly  in  front  of  Lieutenant  Bowman, 
inflicting  wounds  which  caused  his  death,  after  some  hours  of 
intense  suffering ;  one  leg  and  thigh  had  been  broken  and  badly 
mutilated,  besides  other  injuries.  Capt.  Warren  B.  Galucia  was 
wounded  in  both  feet;  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Royce  had  his  left  leg 
badly  burnt  and  filled  with  small  particles  of  powder  and  sand ; 
Lieutenant  Barton  and  Sergeant-Major  Doty  were  only  slightly 
bruised. 

The  remains  of  Lieutenant  Bowman  were  embalmed  and  sent 
to  his  home,  Clinton,  Mass.  The  funeral  services  were  held  in 
the  Unitarian  Church  Aug.  5th,  1864,  and  he  was  buried  with 
military  honors. 

Lieut.  Samuel  M.  Bowman  had  formerly  served  as  a 
member  of  Company  A,  51st  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  the 
Fifty-Seventh  with  a  good  military  record,  which  he  maintained. 
He  was  considered  an  excellent  and  trustworthy  officer,  one  who 
was  greatly  respected  as  a  comrade  and  friend.  His  name  will 
ever  be  honored  with  others  who  died  for  their  country. 

July  23d  Colonel  Bartlett  came  back,  as  Brigadier-General, 
and  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  our  brigade,  First  Brigade 
of  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps.  Every  one,  from 
the  officers  down  to  the  privates,  seemed  glad  to  see  him  back  ;  all 
felt  that  they  now  had  a  permanent  commander  upon  whom  they 
could  rely  and  who  would  take  an  interest  in  them ;  one  who 
would  go  with  them  in  battle.  They  also  felt  proud  that  he  had 
won  the  star  while  in  command  of  the  Fifty- Seventh,  although  the 
brigade  had  been  in  excellent  hands  while  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Gould,  yet  he  was  not  looked  upon  as  its  permanent 
commander. 


PETERSBURG .  161 

If  General  Bartlett  had  taken  the  division  there  is  little 
doubt  that  it  would  have  given  as  much  satisfaction  to  it,  as  did 
his  command  of  the  brigade.  During  his  absence  he  had  lost  the 
music  of  the  singing  bullet,  but  soon  learned  it  again. 

We  quote  a  few  extracts  from  a  private  letter  written  by  him 
the  day  he  joined  :  —  "  There  are  now  six  Massachusetts  regiments 
and  one  Pennsylvania  in  the  brigade,  not  numbering  more  than 
thirteen  hundred  men  altogether,  present  for  duty.  If  the  regi 
ments  were  filled  up  it  would  be  one  of  the  largest  and  best 
brigades  in  the  army  ....  The  brigade  is  in  two  lines  of 
breastworks  one  hundred  yards  apart,  in  front  of  the  enemy's 
works  and  within  two  hundred  yards  in  some  places.  Brigade 
headquarters  are  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  in  rear  of  the 
brigade.  Division  headquarters  two  hundred  yards  in  rear  of 
brigade  (headquarters)  ....  The  headquarters  have  to  be 
protected  by  a  stockade  of  logs  against  bullets,  which  are  con 
stantly  coming  through  here.  Four  officers  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
have  been  hit  since  I  got  here  —  one  killed,  three  very  badly 
wounded,  in  the  second  line.  Our  stockade  does  not  protect  us 
against  shells  which  fall  in  front  and  rear  of  us  ....  The 
bullets  patter  like  rain  at  times  against  the  outside  of  this 
stockade  ....  It  is  a  continual  rattle  of  musketry,  sometimes 
swelling  into  a  roar  along  the  line,  and  varied  with  the  artillery 
and  mortars  ....  People  of  the  North  who  are  enjoying 
themselves  and  thinking  of  nothing  but  making  money,  little 
appreciate  what  this  brave  army  is  enduring  every  day  and  hour 
for  them,  and  how  much  more  cheerful  and  hopeful  they  are  than 
people  at  home.  I  wish  some  of  them  would  come  here  and  spend 
a  week,  even  back  at  my  headquarters.  They  would  not  care  to 
go  down  to  the  lines  where  the  men  are  day  and  night  fighting  for 
their  safety.  I  came  over  this  morning  and  assumed  command. 
Tomorrow  I  must  go  down  and  examine  the  lines,  wrhich  is,  of 
course,  dangerous  ....  1  shall  not  go  there  any  oftener  than 
necessary,  but  it  is  my  duty  to  visit  them  occasionally.  To  give 
you  an  idea  of  the  firing  that  is  going  on  constantly,  I  will  count 
the  shots  in  the  next  minute.  It  is  more  quiet  than  usual  tonight. 
Eiglily-one  and  one  heavy  mortar  shell,  which  burst  in  the  air 

11 


162 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


between  here  and  second  line,  but  sounded  as  if  it  were  in  the 
next  tent.  I  have  a  good  band  at  headquarters  and  it  plays  at 
intervals  through  the  day  and  evening,  protected  by  a  stockade. 
The  '  rebs '  have  the  benefit  of  it  as  much  as  I  do,  but  I  can't 
help  it;  they  favor  us  with  a  band  sometimes.  '  Zip,  prrrr'  goes 
another  bullet  ....  Bullets  flying  very  lively  tonight." 

General  Bartlett  writes  the  next  day,  July  24th:  u  .  .  .  . 
I  got  back  safely  from  the  lines.  Just  before  I  went  there  a 
captain  of  the  56th  and  two  lieutenants  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  were 
badly  wounded  by  a  shell  which  fell  and  exploded  where  they 
were  sitting.  Lieutenant  Bowman  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  cannot 
live.  This  makes  six  officers  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  who  have  been 
killed  or  badly  wounded  since  I  have  been  here.  It  is  too  bad. 
The  firing  has  not  ceased  since  I  wrote  you  last;  nor,  indeed, 
since  I  got  within  sound  of  it.  The  bullets  are  singing  around 
my  tent  as  usual.  '  Spat '  -  -  there  goes  one  into  a  tree,  making 
the  bark  fly." 

Orders  were  received  on  the  25th  for  an  inspection  and 
review  the  following  day.  The  regiment  was  moved  back  to  the 
second  line  and  the  work  of  cleaning  muskets  and  brushing  up 
clothing  commenced.  The  facilities  for  doing  with  were  very  few, 
and  the  few  hard  to  get,  yet  everyone  did  the  best  he  could,  and 
at  2  o'clock  P.M.  the  brigade  was  formed  in  line  and  passed  in 
review  before  General  Ledlie,  General  Bartlett  commanding. 
The  review  took  place  some  distance  in  rear  of  the  line,  bej^ond 
the  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire.  General  Bartlett  remarked  of  it, 
"Did  not  make  a  very  good  appearance;  officers,  even  of  old 
regiments,  ignorant." 

On  the  21st  of  July,  Napoleon  B.  McLaughlin  was  appointed 
colonel  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  to  succeed  General 
Bartlett,  but  did  not  join  to  take  command  until  some  time  after. 
The  regiment  was  commanded  by  Capt.  (afterwards  Maj.) 
Albert  Prescott  from  June  17th  to  July  30th.  During  all  this 
time  the  firing  was  kept  up  continually,  the  same  as  described  by 
General  Bartlett,  except  that  it  was  worse  and  far  more  de 
structive  in  the  front  line  of  rifle  pits  than  back  at  brigade  head 
quarters,  the  casualties  in  the  regiment  being  two  officers  killed 


JOHN   L.    GOODWIN, 

Capt.  57th  Mass. 


PETERSBURG. 


163 


and  four  wounded :  Lieutenant  Bowman  and  Lieutenant  Cheney 
killed,  Lieutenants  Goodwin,  Cook,  Royce  and  Kennay  wounded. 
Five  enlisted  men  killed  and  eighteen  wounded.  This  from  the 
one  hundred  and  thirty  left  after  the  assault  of  June  17th,  as 
follows  :  — 

Daniel  Flynn,  Pvt.  Co.  A  (killed  July  8th,  1864). 

George  R.  Hubbard,  Pvt.  Co.  B  (killed  July  26th,  1864). 

Darby  O'Brien,  Pvt.  Co.  F  (killed  July  oth,  1864,  on  picket). 

Abner  A.  Leland,  Pvt.  Co.  G  (killed  June  22d,  1864). 

E.  C.  Rice,  Pvt.  Co.  K  (killed  June  22(1,  1864). 


John  T.  Palmer, 
Calvin  L.  Brigham, 
Myron  D.  Green, 
Daniel  Hooley, 
Charles  L.  DeFose, 
Samuel  Allman, 
A.  H.  Place, 
William  Brown, 
Edward  D.  Geer, 
James  G.  Anderson, 


WOUNDED 
Corp.  Co. 
Pvt, 


(ENLISTED    MEN). 


Pvt.      Co.  H 


Sergt. 
Pvt. 

u 


B       George  A.  Robinson 
Amos  Spragne, 
E.  D.  McFarland, 
"  "          John  Gover, 

Sergt.  Co.  C       Michael  Dwyer, 
Corp.        •'  William  McDaniels, 

"  '•  Charles  L   Daniels, 

Pvt.  Milo  West, 

"        Co.  H  (Died  of  wounds  Aug.  4th, 

1864) 


Co.  K 


Captain  Prescott,  in  the  meantime,  had  been  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  Major,  to  date  from  June  15th,  1864,  in  place  of  J.  M. 
Tucker,  who  had  been  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
Sergeant  Albert  Doty  had  been  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  and 
appointed  regimental  adjutant. 

The  regiment  now  numbered  less  than  one  hundred  men 
present  for  duty,  with  but  five  officers,  Major  Prescott,  Lieuten 
ants  Barton,  Doty,  Reade  and  Anderson. 

While  many  found  fault  with  General  McClellan  for  inac 
tivity,  they  now  commenced  to  clamor  that  General  Grant  w^as 
too  active.  Especially  did  the  Confederates  think  so,  for  they 
were  allowed  no  repose.  Blows  fell  upon  them,  first  from  one 
point  and  then  another,  all  of  which  were  skilfully  parried.  At 
the  same  time  the  steady  and  persistent  pressure  that  was  brought 
to  bear  upon  them  began  to  dampen  the  enthusiasm  with  which 
they  had  commenced  the  opening  operations  of  the  war.  The 
day  of  their  brilliant  victories  had  passed,  and  from  all  points 


164 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


well  commanded  and  well  disciplined  armies  were  gradually  clos 
ing  around  the  heart  and  life  of  the  Confederacy.  Their  supplies 
were  now  growing  short  and  their  armies  growing  weaker,  while 
the  Federal  supplies  seemed  inexhaustible  and  the  armies  never 
in  finer  condition.  The  hope  of  foreign  interference  looked  less 
promising.  They  could  not  reasonably  look  for  success  except 
through  a  political  division  of  the  North. 

General  Grant  was  impatient  of  delay.  Since  the  move 
ment  towards  the  Weldon  railroad  had  not  realized  the  success  he 
had  anticipated,  he  abandoned,  for  the  time  being,  further 
movements  by  the  left  flank  and  commenced  to  make  plans  for  a 
general  and  determined  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  along  the 
whole  line ;  but  was  deterred  from  this,  awaiting  the  result  of  a 
coup  de  main,  which  was  in  preparation  in  front  of  the  Ninth 
Corps.  It  is  probably  well  that  he  was;  for,  while  the  latter 
resulted  in  disaster  to  a  single  corps,  the  former  would  most 
undoubtedly  have  resulted  in  a  worse  disaster  to  the  whole  army. 
In  looking  across  the  narrow  space  that  separated  the  two  armies, 
upon  the  enemy's  works,  it  could  be  plainly  seen  that  they  were 
too  strong  to  be  carried  by  direct  assault.  If  they  had  been  con 
sidered  so  at  Cold  Harbor,  the  conditions  had  in  no  wise  been 
changed,  except  the  works  were  much  stronger  and  defended  with 
a  greater  force  of  artillery. 

Men  may  be  as  brave  as  the  bronze  statues  of  illustrious 
wnrriors  might  lead  one  to  suppose ;  yet  they  are  made  of  mortal 
flesh  and  blood,  which,  when  riddled  with  bullets,  renders  their 
bravery  of  little  practical  value.  If  a  direct  assault  was  desired, 
a  fine  opportunity  was  subsequently  presented,  which  was  not 
turned  to  advantage. 

Everyone  knew  that  some  enterprise  was  being  conceived ; 
the  air  was  full  of  it  and  men  in  the  trenches  discussed  it.  Even 
the  forebodings  of  an  approaching  storm  were  wafted  across  to 
the  enemy,  — however,  that  was  hardly  strange,  as  it  had  come  to 
be  all  storm  to  him. 

There  were  rumors  of  mines  and  countermines.  With  one  in 
course  of  construction  within  the  lines  of  our  own  corps,  it  is 
remarkable  that  everyone  possessing  Yankee  inquisitiveness  did 


PETERSBURG. 


165 


not  find  out  all  about  it.  The  enemy  could  not  be  expected  to 
find  it  out  as  be  was  in  sucb  ill  temper  over  the  colored  troops 
that  were  facing  him  in  the  Ninth  Corps,  that  he  never  allowed 
hostilities  in  that  direction  to  lag  for  a  moment,  and  was  not  in 
clined  to  accept  any  civilities  from  that  part  of  the  line.  It  was 
different  along  that  portion  occupied  by  the  other  corps,  and  occa 
sional  lulls  would  take  place  along  the  picket  lines,  when  papers 
would  be  exchanged  and  coffee  traded  for  tobacco,  but  we  never 
witnessed  anything  of  that  kind  in  front  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  We 
had  no  apologies  to  make  for  the  presence  of  colored  troops  and 
no  favors  to  ask. 

A  demonstration  was  made  on  the  26th  (July)  with  the 
Second  Corps  under  General  Hancock  and  the  cavalry  under 
General  Sheridan,  to  the  north  bank  of  the  James,  crossing  by 
ponton  bridges  at  Deep  Bottom.  The  cavalry  was  to  operate 
against  Richmond,  and  if  successful,  was  to  be  supported  by  the 
Second  Corps  at  Chapin's  Bluff.  In  case  this  movement  did  not 
meet  with  success  in  an  attack,  it  might  be  the  means  of  causing 
the  withdrawal  of  a  considerable  Confederate  force  in  front  of  our 
troops  investing  Petersburg.  All  night  of  the  26th  a  long  train 
of  empty  wagons  was  moved  towards  the  right.  The  heavy 
rumble  could  be  heard  by  the  enemy  who  construed  it  into  a 
contemplated  attack  in  force  upon  their  left  flank.  The  ruse 
worked  successfully.  The  infantry  and  cavalry  crossing,  as 
above  stated,  made  a  display  of  force,  the  cavalry  having  a  light 
engagement,  capturing  a  battery  of  four  twenty-pounder  Parrott 
guns  and  some  prisoners  ;  but  upon  further  advance,  the  enemy 
was  found  intrenched  in  strong  force.  The  Confederate  lines  in 
front  of  Petersburg  had  been  considerably  reduced  to  meet  this 
threatened  attack.  On  the  29th  a  large  portion  of  the  Confeder 
ate  army  had  taken  position  on  the  north  bank  of  the  James  in 
the  vicinity  of  Chapin's  Bluff.  The  Second  Corps  then  rapidly 
countermarched  and  was  ordered  to  take  position  in  rear  and  to 
support  the  Ninth  Corps  in  an  assault  upon  Petersburg,  which 
was  to  follow  the  explosion  of  a  mine  that  had  been  prepared  in 
their  front.  Everything,  up  to  this  point,  had  worked  admirably 
and  the  commanding  general  had  every  reason  to  anticipate  a 
brilliant  victory. 


166  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Before  passing  to  the  next  chapter,  we  will  pause  to  note 
once  more  the  tremendous  loss  which  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
had  sustained  since  the  beginning  of  the  campaign. 

I  quote  from  "The  Virginia  Campaign  of  1864  and  1865," 
by  General  Humphreys,  Chief  of  Staff,  A. P.  :  "  From  May  4th  to 
June  19th,  including  the  Eighteenth  Corps  at  Cold  Harbor  and 
Petersburg,  the  total  killed  were  8.802  ;  wounded,  40,518  ;  miss 
ing,  9,544;  total  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  58,864.  Deduct 
ing  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps 
(2,700),  we  have  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  56,164  killed, 
wounded  and  missing.  To  these  must  be  added  the  casualties  of 
Sheridan  on  the  Trevylian  expedition,  and  of  Wilson  on  his  raid ; 
that  is,  840  killed  and  wounded,  and  over  1,400  missing.  The 
losses  of  the  infantry  corps  before  Petersburg,  from  the  20th  to 
the  30th  of  June,  were  not  less  than  one  thousand  killed  and 
wounded  and  two  thousand  missing ;  making  a  total  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  to  that  date  of  61,400,  and  of  killed  and  wounded 
nearly  50,000." 

Such  were  the  appalling  facts  that  stared  us  in  the  face  when 
the  Ninth  Corps  of  that  grand  old  army  was  again  called  upon  to 
make  still  heavier  sacrifices  and  face  new  but  foreseen  dangers, 
in  what  all  knew  would  prove  a  desperate  and  bloody  affair. 


ALBERT    PRESCOTT, 

Mai.   57th  Mass. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 

JE  now  approach  one  of  the  most  tragic  and  saddest 
chapters  in  our  whole  history.  AVe  approach  it  as 
an  ant  might  survey  a  mountain.  It  has  been, 
written  in  history  and  told  in  story  in  so  many 
different  ways  that  to  try  and  harmonize  all  the  narra 
tives  that  have  been  given  of  it,  would  be  like  standing 
upon  the  summit  of  ancient  Babel,  hoping  to  bring 
harmony  out  of  the  confusion  of  tongues.  We  beg,  however, 
the  reader's  indulgence  while  describing  it  in  our  own  way,  as  we 
saw  it.  We  were  there.  We  are  not  going  to  say  that  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  did  any  better  than  any  other  organization,  only  that  the 
regiment  performed  its  duty  and  did  not  come  out  with  dishonor. 
It  has  been  our  aim  to  avoid  comparison,  which  will  govern  in 
this  case.  The  historical  facts  leading  to  this  battle  are  briefly 
described . 

It  has  been  previously  stated  that  the  opposing  lines  opposite 
the  Ninth  Corps  were  drawn  nearer  together  than  upon  any  other 
portion.  In  some  places  the  interval  separating  them  was  less 
than  two  hundred  yards.  The  position  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  there 
fore,  appeared  to  present  more  advantages  for  a  direct  assault 
than  any  other.  Opposite  the  centre  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  occu 
pied  by  General  Potter's  division,  where  the  lines  ran  very 
close  together,  the  enemy  had  constructed  a  redan  battery  in  a 
commanding  position,  which  had  been  very  active  and  annoying. 
In  rear  of  this  battery  was  a  crest  or  ridge  of  small  hills,  where 
Confederate  infantry  was  intrenched  and  other  batteries  in  posi 
tion.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pleasants  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania 


168 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


conceived  the  idea  of  running  a  mine  from  the  Ninth  Corps 
intrenchments,  to  terminate  in  a  chamber  under  the  fort,  which  was 
to  be  blown  up  with  powder.  This  plan  was  submitted  to  General 
Potter,  who  carried  it  to  General  Burnside.  The  latter,  after 
looking  it  over  carefully,  fully  approved  of  it  and  laid  it  before 
General  Meade  for  his  consideration,  who,  after  much  hesitation, 
gave  it  his  approval,  but  did  not  express  great  confidence  in  it 
and  never  gave  it  his  hearty  support.  However,  under  the  feeble 
sanction  he  did  give,  work  was  commenced,  under  direction  of 
Colonel  Pleasants,  on  the  25th  of  June.  No  mining  tools  were 
furnished  and  the  work  had  to  be  prosecuted  with  ordinary  picks 
and  shovels.  A  main  gallery  had  to  be  dug  a  distance  of  about 
five  hundred  feet.  The  earth  thus  removed  was  carried  out  by 
the  soldiers  employed,  in  cracker  boxes,  and  covered  over  with 
brush,  to  shield  it  from  the  observation  of  the  enemy.  The 
farther  end  of  this  gallery  terminated  in  a  chamber  directly  under 
the  fort,  from  which  two  lateral  galleries  extended  to  the  right 
and  left,  one  thirty-seven  and  the  other  thirty-eight  feet  in  length. 
The  work  was  completed  on  the  27th  of  July,  and  eight  thousand 
pounds  of  powder  placed  in  the  magazines  under  the  fort.  Four 
of  these  magazines  were  constructed  in  the  lateral  galleries,  about 
equal  distance  from  each  other,  and  connected  with  small  troughs 
filled  with  powder.  Three  lines  of  fuses  were  laid  and  everything 
was  in  readiness  on  the  evening  of  July  28th.  The  fort  towards 
which  these  operations  were  directed,  was  a  strong,  bastioned 
work,  known  as  Elliott's  salient,  and  occupied  by  General  Elliott's 
brigade  of  Confederate  troops;  the  18th  and  part  of  the  23d 
South  Carolina  regiments  being  in  the  main  works.  This  mining 
had  not  escaped  the  notice  of  the  ever  vigilant  enemy.  General 
Beauregard  being  then  in  command  of  that  part  of  the  enemy's 
trenches,  had  at  first  directed  countermining,  but  this  was  subse 
quently  abandoned,  as  he  was  probably  in  some  doubt  as  to  the 
threatened  point.  However,  he  constructed  interior  trenches  and 
redoubts  in  such  a  way  that  in  case  the  Federals  should  make  a 
lodgment  within  the  fort,  a  direct  and  enfilading  fire  of  infantry 
and  artillery  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  them,  which  proved 
to  be  the  case.  Mention  is  made  of  this  for  the  reason  that  the 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  169 

prevailing  opinion  was  that  after  haying  gained  the  crater, 
there  remained  no  opposing  Confederate  force  near  at  hand, 
and  that  it  took  some  time  before  they  could  bring  any  to  bear 
upon  the  advancing  column  of  attack.  This  was  true  only  for 
the  few  moments  which  it  took  for  the  enemy  to  recover  from 
his  surprise. 

When  everything  was  ready  for  the  assault,  the  abatis  and  other 
obstructions  in  front  of  our  own  intrenchments  were  removed,  allow 
ing  only  a  sufficient  space  for  the  passage  of  the  charging  column. 
At  this  time  there  arose  an  embarrassing  question  between  the  Ninth 
Corps  commander,  General  Burnside,  and  the  commander  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  General  Meade,  as  to  the  execution  of  the 
plans  for  the  coming  assault.  The  most  important  arrangements 
that  General  Buruside  had  taken  much  time  and  pains  to  perfect 
were  set  aside,  and  others  substituted  in  place,  of  which  the  latter 
did  not  approve.  The  change  was  made  so  late  that  sufficient  time 
could  not  be  given  to  provide  for  their  proper  execution.*  It 
would  appear  from  past  as  well  as  present  events  that  there 
was  a  lack  of  cordial  harmony  existing  between  the  commander 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  the  commander  of  the  Ninth 
Corps.  There  had  been  an  apparent  friction  between  them  from 
the  very  beginning  of  the  campaign,  which  became  more  manifest 
at  the  time  of  which  we  are  writing.  Such  feelings  often  have  a 
marked  influence  upon  important  military  movements,  at  a  critical 
moment  when  unity  and  harmony  of  action  are  essential  and 
absolutely  necessary  to  insure  success.  To  what  extent  this 
influence  was  felt  in  the  present  case  one  can  only  judge  by  the 
result.  Any  unfriendly  or  indifferent  feeling  of  a  commander 
towards  one  of  his  lieutenants  is  sure  to  appear  in  some  form,  and 
make  its  influence  felt  all  down  through  the  different  grades,  until 
it  reaches  the  private  soldier,  who  almost  invariably  shares  the 
feelings  of  those  nearest  in  touch  with  him.  It  is  not  within  our 
province  to  discuss  this  question  in  a  work  like  this.  Mention  is 
only  made  of  it  as  showing  that  men  in  the  ranks  were  sometimes 
made  the  unfortunate  victims  of  the  petty  spites  and  jealousies  of 


*ln  the  report  submitted  bj  General  Meade  he  positively  denied  having  inter 
fered  in  any  way  with  General  Burnside's  plans  for  tactical  formations,  except  to 
disapprove  of  putting  the  colored  division  in  front.  —  J.  A. 


170 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


those  in  high  command.  Whether  the  plans  as  finally  substituted 
were  better  or  worse  than  the  original,  one  thing  was  certain, 
General  Burnside  was  obliged  to  accept  them.  The}7  could  not 
have  been  more  poorly  executed.  To  give  a  better  understanding 
of  the  situation,  we  quote  from  the  "  History  of  the  Ninth  Army 
Corps,"  by  Augustus  Woodbury,  the  original  plans  of  General 
Burnside,  and  also  the  modified  ones  by  General  Meade.  As 
submitted  by  General  Burnside  :  ' '  My  plan  would  be  to  explode 
the  mine  just  before  daylight  in  the  morning,  or  about  five  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  mass  the  two  brigades  of  the  colored  division  in 
rear  of  my  first  line,  in  columns  of  division,  '  double  columns 
closed  in  mass,'  the  head  of  each  brigade  resting  on  the  front 
line,  and  as  soon  as  the  explosion  has  taken  place,  move  them 
forward  with  instructions  for  the  divisions  to  take  half  distance. 
As  soon  as  the  leading  regiments  of  the  two  brigades  pass 
through  the  gap  in  the  enemy's  line,  the  leading  regiment  of  the 
right  brigade  should  come  into  line  perpendicular  to  the  enemy's 
line,  by  the  right  companies  on  the  right  into  line  wheel,  the  left 
companies  on  the  right  into  line,  and  proceed  at  once  down  the 
line  of  the  enemy's  works  as  rapidly  as  possible ;  and  the  leading 
regiment  of  the  left  brigade  to  execute  the  reverse  movement  to 
the  left,  moving  up  to  the  enemy's  line.  The  remainder  of  the 
columns  to  move  directly  towards  the  crest  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
diverging  in  such  a  way  as  to  enable  them  to  deploy  into  columns 
of  regiments,  the  right  column  making,  as  nearly  as  possible,  for 
Cemetery  Hill.  These  columns  to  be  followed  by  the  other 
divisions  of  this  corps  as  soon  as  they  can  be  thrown  in.  This 
would  involve  the  necessity  of  relieving  these  divisions  by  other 
troops  before  the  movement,  and  of  holding  columns  of  other 
troops  in  readiness  to  take  our  place  on  the  crest  in  case  we 
gained  it  and  swept  down  it.  It  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  advis 
able,  if  we  succeed  in  gaining  the  crest,  to  throw  the  colored 
division  right  into  the  town.  There  is  a  necessity  of  co-operation, 
at  least  in  the  way  of  artillery,  of  the  troops  on  our  right  and 
left.  Of  the  extent  of  this  you  will  necessarily  be  the  judge." 

The  tactical    movements    required    by    the    foregoing    plans 
would  look  very  pretty  upon  an  open  field  in  a  sham  battle,  but 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  171 

their  execution  over  broken  ground,  cut  up  by  deep  trenches  and 
with  an  intricate  network  of  other  obstructions,  carefully  prepared 
for  just  such  an  occasion,  would  have  been  extremely  difficult, 
even  had  all  the  officers  in  charge  been  present  to  conduct  opera 
tions  in  person ;  as  many  of  them  were  not,  the  plans  would 
undoubtedly  have  fallen  through  under  the  most  favorable  circum 
stances  ;  such  was  the  opinion  of  General  Meade. 

As  far  as  the  plans  contemplated  putting  the  colored  division 
in  the  lead,  they  seemed  quite  reasonable.  This  division  had 
suffered  less  than  any  of  the  others.  It  had  been  drilled  for  this 
special  occasion,  the  men  were  full  of  confidence  and  anxious  to 
demonstrate  the  fact  that  they  were  equally  as  brave  and  capable 
for  such  an  undertaking  as  their  white  comrades ;  besides,  they 
were  commanded  by  as  brave  a  body  of  officers  as  stood  in  the 
army.  All  were  ambitious  to  wipe  out  the  long  standing  prejudice 
which  existed  against  the  race.  All  the  white  divisions  were 
greatly  exhausted  by  constant  marching  and  fighting  from  the 
beginning  of  the  campaign,  while  the  colored  division  was  com 
paratively  fresh. 

As  the  time  for  assault  approached,  General  Meade  began  to 
look  upon  it  with  more  favor  and  to  anticipate  important  results. 
After  discussing  the  matter  with  General  Grant  and  General 
Burn  side,  he  issued  the  following  order  on  the  29th  :  — 

1.  As  soon  as  dark,  Major-General  Burnside,  commanding  Ninth 
Corps,  will  withdraw  liis  two  brigades  under  General  White,*  occupy 
ing  the  intrenchments  between  the  plank  and  Norfolk  roads,  and  bring 
them  to  his  front.     Care  will  be  taken  not  to  interfere  with  the  troops 
of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  moving  into  their  position  in  rear  of  the  Ninth 
Corps.     General  Burnside  will  form  his  troops  for  assaulting  the  enemy's 
works  at  daylight  of  the  80th,  prepare  his  parapets  and  abatis  for  the 
passage  of  the  columns,  and   have  the    pioneers  equipped  for  work  in 
opening  passages  for  artillery,  destroying  the  enemy's  abatis,  etc.,  and 
the  intrenching  tools  distributed  for  effecting  lodgments,  etc. 

2.  Major-General  Warren,  commanding  Fifth  Corps,  will  reduce 
the  number  of  his  troops  holding  the  intrenchments  of  his  front  to  the 
minimum,  and  concentrate  all  his  available  force  on  his  right  and  hold 
them  prepared  to  support  the  assault  of  Major-General  Burnside      The 
preparations  in  respect  to  pioneers,  intrenching  tools,  etc.,  enjoined  upon 
the  Ninth  Corps,  will  also  be  made  by  the  Fifth  Corps. 


*Ferrero's  division,  colored.— J.  A. 


172 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


3.  As  soon  as  it  is  dark  Major-General  Orel,  commanding  Eighteenth 
Corps,  will  relieve  his  troops  in  the  trenches  by  General  Mott's  division 
of  the  Second  Corps,  and  form  his  corps  in  rear  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and 
be  prepared  to  support  the  assault  of  Major-General  Burnside. 

4.  Every  preparation  will  be  made  for  moving  forward  the  field 
artillery  of  each  corps. 

5.  At  dark  Major-General  Hancock,  commanding  the  Second  Corps, 
will  move  from  Deep  Bottom  to  the  rear  of  the  intrenchments  now  held 
by  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  resume  the  command  of  Mott's  division  and  be 
prepared  at  daylight  to  follow  up  the  assaulting  and  supporting  column, 
or  for  such  other  operation  as  may  be  found  necessary. 

6.  Major-General  Sheridan,  commanding  Cavalry  Corps,  will  pro 
ceed  at  dark  from  the  vicinity  of  Deep  Bottom  to  Lee's  Mill,  and  at  day 
light  will  move  with  his  whole  corps,  including  Wilson's  division,  against 
the  enemy's  troops,  defending  Petersburg  on  their  right,  by  the  roads 
leading  from  the  southward  and  westward. 

7.  Major   Duane,    acting   Chief   Engineer,    will  have   the   ponton 
trains  parked  at  convenient  points  in  the  rear,  prepared  to  move.     He 
•will  see  that  supplies  of  sand  bags,  gabions,  fascines,  etc.,  are  in  depot, 
near  the  lines,  ready  for  use.     He  will  detail  engineer  officers  for  each 
corps. 

8.  At  half  past  three  in  the  morning  of  the  30th,  Major-General 
Burnside  will  spring  his  mine,  and  his  assaulting  columns  will  immediately 
move   rapidly  upon    the    breach,  seize    the    crest    in    rear,  and  effect  a 
lodgment  there.     He  will  be  followed  by  Major-General  Ord,  who  will 
support  him  on  the  right,  directing  his  movement  to  the  crest  indicated, 
and  by  Major-General  Warren,  who  will  support  him  on  the  left.     Upon 
the  explosion  of  the  mine  the  artillery  of  all  kinds  in  battery  will  open 
upon  those  points  of  the  enemy's  wTorks  whose  fire  covers  the  ground 
over  which  our  columns  must  move,  care  being  taken  to  avoid  impeding 
the  progress  of  our  troops.    Special  instructions  respecting  the  direction 
of  the  fire  will  be  issued  through  the  Chief  of  Artillery. 

9.  Corps  Commanders   will   report  to   the    Commanding   General 
when  their   preparations  are  complete,  and   will   advise   him   of   every 
step  in  the  progress  of  the  operation  and  of  everything  important  that 
occurs. 

10.  Promptitude,  rapidity  of  execution  and   cordial  co-operation 
are  essential  to  success,  and  the  Commanding  General  is  confident  that 
this  indication  of  his  expectations  will  insure  the  hearty  efforts  of  the 
commanders  and  troops. 

11.  Headquarters  during  the  operation  will  be  at  the  headquarters 
of  the  Ninth  Corps. 

By  command  of 

MAJOR-GENERAL   MEADE. 
(Signed)  S.  WILLIAMS, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


173 


This  is  silent  upon  the  order  for  the  tactical  formation  of  the 
Ninth  Corps,  the  details  of  which  were  left  to  General  Burnside, 
with  the  restrictions  that  we  have  noted,  viz.  :  That  the  colored 
division  be  excluded  from  leading  the  assault,  and  the  tactical 
movements  to  the  right  and  left  not  to  be  undertaken.  General 
Meade  being  emphatic  upon  one  point,  namely:  To  "lose  no 
time  after  passing  through  the  crater  in  seizing  the  crest  beyond, 
known  as  Cemetery  Hill."  To  the  eye  of  a  military  expert  this 
was  the  real  key  to  the  situation.  Experience  of  coming  events 
demonstrated  the  sound  judgment  of  General  Meade  in  repeating 
the  order  :  "  Lose  no  time  in  making  formations,  but  rash  for  the 
crest."  The  apprehension  that  by  so  doing  would  expose  the 
assaulting  column  to  attack  from  flank  and  rear  were  provided  for 
by  instructions  that  the  divisions  to  follow,  would  bear  to  the  right 
and  left.  The  detailed  instructions  given  by  General  Meade  to 
General  Burnside  were  verbal,  and  approved  by  General  Grant. 
We  were  of  the  opinion  then,  and  we  are  of  the  same  opinion  now, 
that  had  the  plans  of  General  Burnside  or  those  of  General  Meade 
been  faithfully  executed  with  promptness,  either  would  have 
resulted  in  success.  The  plans  of  the  latter  were  simpler,  more 
easy  of  execution  and  less  liable  of  complication,  while  those  of 
the  former  depended  upon  everything  working  in  mechanical 
order,  like  the  works  of  a  clock;  any  failure  of  a  part  would 
have  thrown  the  whole  machinery  out  of  gear,  and  would  have 
consumed  more  time  in  their  execution.  In  either  case  time  was 
the  most  essential  feature,  the  very  "  essence  of  success." 

In  his  testimony  before  the  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the 
war,  General  Meade  said:  "The  only  objection  I  intended  to 
make  to  his  plan  was  to  the  use  of  the  colored  troops  in  advance." 
It  is  believed  in  this  that  he  meant  the  general  plan  and  not  the 
minor  details  to  which  reference  has  been  made.  Another  objec 
tion  made  by  General  Meade,  as  he  says,  to  putting  the  colored 
troops  in  advance  was,  "if  it  should  prove  a  failure  it  would  then 
be  said,  and  very  properly,  that  we  were  shoving  those  people 
ahead  to  get  killed  because  we  did  not  care  anything  about  them, 
but  that  cannot  be  said  if  we  put  white  troops  in  front."  There 
is  no  doubt  but  that  at  that  time,  even  in  the  light  of  preceding 


174  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 

events,  there  was  a  lingering  doubt  in  the  minds  of  both  General 
Grant  and  General  Meade  as  to  the  reliability  of  colored  troops 
in  an  affair  involving  such  important  issues. 

After  a  protracted  consultation  with  General  Meade,  General 
Burnside  finally,  July  29th,  sent  for  his  three  commanders  of  the 
white  divisions  and  gave  them  detailed  instructions,  verbally,  for 
the  coming  movements ;  he  then  allowed  them  to  draw  lots  to 
determine  which  division  should  lead  in  making  the  assault.  The 
lot  fell  to  our  own,  the  First  Division.  It  has  been  said,  and 
truthfully,  too,  that  this  was  unfortunate,  the  reflection  not  bear 
ing  upon  the  character  of  the  men  composing  the  division,  but 
the  peculiar  eccentricities,  heretofore  described,  of  its  commander. 
It  certainly  seems  that  by  this  time  these  should  have  been  known 
by  one  higher  in  authority,  and  with  this  knowledge  his  own 
sound  judgment  should  have  dictated  a  different  course  than  that 
of  consigning  the  most  important  part,  of  this  most  important 
affair,  to  the  hands  of  the  least  competent  of  all  the  division  com 
manders  in  the  whole  army. 

Based  upon  his  understanding  of  General  Meade's  verbal 
instructions,  General  Burnside,  on  the  29th,  issued  the  following 
order  governing  the  movements  of  the  Ninth  Corps  :  — 

1.  The  mine  will  be  exploded  tomorrow  morning  at  half  past  three, 
by  Colonel  Pleasants. 

2.  General  Lecllie  will,  immediately  upon  the  explosion  of  the  mine, 
move  his  division  forward,  as  directed  by  verbal  orders,  and  if  possible, 
crown  the  crest   at   the  point  known   as   Cemetery  Hill,  occupying,  if 
possible,  the  cemetery. 

3.  General   Wilcox   will  move   his    division   forward  as   soon   as 
possible  after  General  Ledlie  has  passed  through  the  first  line   of   the 
enemy's   works,    bearing   off   to   the  left,    so   as   to   effectually  protect 
the    left    flank    of    General  Ledlie's    column,    and    make   a  lodgment, 
if  possible,  on  the  Jerusalem  plank  road  to  the  left  of  General  Ledlie's 
division. 

4.  General   Potter   will  move  his   division   forward   to   the   right 
of  General  Ledlie's  division,   and  will,  as  near  as  possible,  protect  the 
right   flank   of   General  Ledlie   from  any  attack  on   that   quarter,    and 
establish  a  line  on  the  crest  of  a  ravine,  which  seems  to  run  from  the 
crest  of  Cemetery  Hill  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  enemy's  main  line 
directly  in  our  front. 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


175 


5.  General  Ferrero  will  move  his  division  immediately  after  General 
Wilcox's  until  he  reaches  our  present  advanced  line,  where  he  will  remain 
until  the  ground  in  his  front  is  entirely  cleared  by  the  other  three  divi 
sions,  when  he  will  move  forward  over  the  same  ground  that  General 
Lecllie  moved  over,  will  pass  through  our  line,  and  if  possible  move 
down  and  occupy  the  village  to  the  right. 

This  order  appears  plain  enough,  yet  the  frequent  repetition 
of  the  words  '•  if  possible  "  had  a  tendency  to  weaken  it.  Such 
important  orders  should  admit  of  no  "  ifs,"  but  be  positive  all  the 
way  through.  It  would  have  had  greater  force  if  he  had  added, 
that  division  and  brigade  commanders  should  accompany  their 
commands  in  person,  and  be  held  strictly  responsible  for  the  prompt 
and  faithful  execution  of  the  order.  A  timid  commander  is  always 
sure  to  take  advantage  of  any  implied  doubt  as  to  the  possibility 
of  executing  it,  where  great  danger  is  involved. 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  29th  the  orders  were  received  at 
the  front  by  regimental  and  company  commanders  of  the  First 
Division,  directing  them  to  get  ready  to  move,  at  a  moment's 
notice,  and  that  this  division  was  to  be  the  leading  one  in  making 
the  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  in  our  front.  The  order  was 
given  under  cover  of  secrecy,  that  it  should  be  withheld  from  the 
enlisted  men  ;  however,  this  was  impossible,  as  they  had  received 
an  inkling  of  it  before,  and  the  order  to  get  ready  to  move  revealed 
to  them  just  about  as  much  as  the  officers  knew,  as  no  detailed 
plan  of  operations  had  been  given  to  company  commanders. 
Never  shall  we  forget  that  night  of  waiting.  All  the  officers  of 
the  regiment  who  were  present  with  it,  assembled  at  headquarters 
to  discuss  the  matter.  The  dark  shades  of  night  surrounding 
us  seemed  but  the  forebodings  of  a  darker  shadow  with  the 
approaching  light  of  coming  day.  In  this  group  of  officers  were 
Major  Prescott,  Lieutenants  Barton,  Doty,  Reade  and  Anderson. 
While  looking  into  the  trenches  only  about  ninety  men  were 
present  to  answer  another  call  to  duty  out  of  what,  but  three 
months  before,  was  a  splendid  regiment.  As  the  night  wore  on 
we  were  joined  by  Captain  Dresser  who  had  been  absent  from  the 
regiment  as  Acting  Ordnance  Officer.  Learning  that  we  were 
again  going  into  action,  he  had  asked  to  be  relieved  from  a  posi- 


17G 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS     VOLUNTEERS. 


tion  that  offered  him  security  from  danger,  in  order  to  join  his 
company  in  the  coming  battle.  In  the  promotion  of  Captain 
Prescott  to  major,  he  had  been  passed  over  in  rank,  yet  that  mat 
tered  not  to  him.  He  was  willing  and  anxious  to  perform  his 
duty,  even  under  one  who  had  formerly  been  his  junior  in  rank. 
The  hours  wore  on  with  little  or  no  sleep.  Lieutenant  Barton 
was  the  Mark  Tapley  of  the  part}7,  with  an  unlimited  supply  of 
funny  stories  suitable  for  all  occasions,  while  with  frequent,  deep- 
drawn  sighs,  Major  Prescott  would  ask  :  "  I  wonder  where  we 
will  all  be  at  this  time  tomorrow  night?  "  and  then  add,  "  If  it  were 
not  for  thinking  of  my  family,  who  are  dependent  upon  me,  I 
could  be  as  light  hearted  as  the  rest  of  you." 

We  were  all  glad  when  the  order  finally  came.  The  regiment 
quietly  drew  out  of  the  trenches  and  marched  off  to  the  place 
appointed  for  making  the  assault,  where  the  men  were  ordered  to 
lie  down  and  remain  silent.  The  division  formed  in  column  with 
the  Second  Brigade  in  front,  closely  followed  by  the  First,  to 
which  the  Fifty- Seventh  belonged.  The  doomed  fort  could  be 
dimly  seen  through  the  darkness,  about  one  hundred  yards  in 
front.  Its  garrison  rested  in  fancied  security  from  the  hated 
"Yanks,"  little  dreaming  that  just  beneath  them  was  a  mine  of 
eight  thousand  pounds  of  powder  to  which  the  lighted  match  was 
soon  to  be  applied.  We  waited  long  and  anxiously,  watching  for 
the  curtain  to  rise  which  was  to  disclose  one  of  the  grandest 
tragedies  of  the  war, —  waited  with  beating  hearts  and  bated 
breath,  and  yet  no  sign  of  the  expected  eruption.  The  moments 
seemed  long  and  the  waiting  tedious,  eyes  weary  with  watching 
gradually  closed  in  sleep,  while  the  gray  light  of  early  dawn  came 
silently  creeping  up  from  the  eastern  horizon.  Suddenly  there 
came  a  heavy  rumble  that  made  the  ground  tremble,  followed  by 
a  deep  boom ;  quickly  jumping  to  our  feet  we  saw  a  black  moun 
tain  of  earth  and  smoke  rising,  carrying  cannon,  caissons,  camp 
equipage  and  human  bodies  in  one  confused  mass,  about  two 
hundred  feet  in  the  air,  where  it  poised  for  a  second,  and  as  it 
settled  back,  looked  as  if  it  would  bury  the  troops  which  were 
formed  for  the  charge. 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


177 


The  spectacle  was  one  of  appalling  grandeur.  As  the  echoes 
died  away  upon  the  morning  air,  all  the  heavy  guns  along  the 
line,  mortars  and  field  pieces,  opened  a  terrific  fire  upon  the 
enemy's  batteries  in  order  to  silence  them.  The  heavy  roar  of 
artillery  shook  the  ground  for  miles  around.  For  some  minutes 
the  leading  division  stood  in  motionless  silence,  awaiting  orders 
from  its  chief  to  advance.  He  was  not  present  to  give  directions, 
but  in  a  secure  place  in  rear.  Finally  General  Bartlett  stepped 
to  the  front  and  commanded,  "  First  Brigade,  forward,"  and  a 
few  minutes  before  five,  the  brigade  moved  forward  with  General 
Bartlett  leading.  As  we  approached  the  Second  Brigade  that  was 
also  put  in  march  by  its  commander,  Colonel  Marshall,  the  two 
went  rapidly  forward  into  the  crater  formed  by  the  explosion  of 
the  mine,  becoming  intermingled  so  that  from  that  time  it  became 
impossible  to  separate  them.  The  First  Division  had  been 
ordered  to  push  directly  through  the  crater  to  the  crest  about  five 
hundred  yards  beyond.  Upon  reaching  the  scene  of  the  explosion 
the  picture  presented  was  one  of  death  and  confused  destruction, 
which  for  the  moment,  seemed  to  paralyze  our  own  men.  There 
were  mangled,  human  bodies  scattered  among  the  ruins;  men 
partly  buried,  some  with  heads  sticking  out,  still  alive,  and  plead 
ing  to  be  extricated  from  their  painful  positions,  arms  and  legs 
were  seen  protruding  and  wriggling  in  silent  appeal  for  the  release 
of  the  buried  bodies  to  which  they  belonged.  About  two  hundred 
and  fifty  men  of  Pegram's  battery  were  scattered  through  the 
wreck.  The  place  where  this  frowning  fort  once  stood  was  now 
converted  into  a  huge  crater  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet 
long,  sixty  wide  and  about  twenty-five  deep,  and  looked  like  the 
mouth  of  a  volcano,  with  the  cloud  of  smoke  and  dust  hanging 
over  it. 

For  the  time  being  the  instincts  of  humanity  were  the  first 
consideration,  and  another  delay  was  made  while  the  unfortunate 
victims  were  being  rescued  from  living  graves.  During  the  ad 
vance  only  scattering  infantry  fire  was  directed  upon  the  attack 
ing  force,  which  did  little,  if  any,  execution.  The  sudden  shock 
of  this  explosion  had  the  effect  of  striking  the  enemy  with  fear 
and  astonishment.  They  knew  not  what  other  explosions  were  to 

12 


178 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


follow  this.  As  our  troops  poured  into  the^crater,  they  could  be 
seen  running  from  their  front  line  of  intrenchments  rapidly  to  the 
rear.  For  several  hundred  yards  to  our  right  we  could  see  their 
strong  works  almost  deserted.  We  were  not  in  a  position  to 
observe  the  condition  of  affairs  to  the  left,  but  this  was,  most 
assuredly,  the  supreme  moment  for  prompt  and  resolute  action. 
If,  for  at  least  an  hour  after  we  reached  the  crater,  a  front  attack 
had  been  made  upon  the  main  line  of  Confederate  intrenchments, 
it  would  have  met  with  very  little  opposition. 

The  First  Division  was  wasting  precious  time  when  it  should 
have  been  moving  forward ;  not  only  this,  but  it  blocked  the 
movements  of  the  other  divisions,  which  were  following  with 
great  difficulty.  The  obstructions  in  front  of  our  line  of  intrench 
ments  had  not  been  removed,  except  a  narrow  space  just  sufficient 
to  allow  the  attacking  force  to  file  through,  and  none  in  front  of 
the  enemy's  works,  except  those  destroyed  by  the  explosion  of 
the  mine.  Each  brigade,  as  it  approached,  crowded  with  the  First 
Division  into  the  already  over-crowded  crater.  After  considera 
ble  delay,  the  First  Division  was  pushed  to  the  farthermost  side 
towards  the  crest,  which  it  had  been  ordered  to  seize ;  but  by  this 
time  the  enemy  had  recovered  from  his  surprise,  and  was  gathering 
his  forces  to  resist  an  advance  from  the  crater  in  any  direction. 
Their  men  were  returning  to  the  trenches,  and  heavy  guns,  with 
mortars,  were  being  brought  to  bear  upon  the  crowded  Federal 
troops  in  the  crater.  The  musketry  fire,  which  at  first  was 
scattering,  was  constantly  increasing,  with  deadly  effect.  The 
crest  in  our  front  was  now  occupied  by  a  strong  force,  while  the 
batteries  stationed  there  were  delivering  a  raking  fire.  Leaving 
barely  enough  men  to  hold  their  intrerichmeuts,  all  others,  with 
all  the  artillery  they  could  use,  were  concentrated  upon  the  small 
space  into  which  the  Ninth  Corps  had  become  huddled.  It  was  a 
veritable  "  leaden  rain  and  iron  hail."  Our  own  troops  were  so 
crowded  that  only  those  who  stood  in  front  could  use  their  arms 
to  advantage.  Brigade  commanders  were  vainly  struggling  to 
get  their  commands  out  of  the  crater,  wrhere  they  could  exercise 
some  control  over  them,  but  all  semblance  of  organization  had 
become  lost  and  men  had  to  be  taken  out  in  groups  by  their 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


179 


officers,  who  endeavored  to  effect  a  formatipn  outside.  In  a  few 
instances  this  was  done  under  a  heavy  fire,  and  the  brigades, 
composed  of  fractions  of  different  regiments,  went  forward  only 
to  encounter  the  advancing  troops  of  the  enemy  and  were  driven 
back  in  disorder. 

By  this  time  every  attempt  made  by  the  First  'Division  to 
advance  was  met  by  a  withering  fire  which  caused  the  men  to 
again  seek  shelter.  The  fact  was  that  neither  officers  or  men 
knew  what  was  expected  of  them.  The  prime  cause  of  all  rested 
with  the  commanding  general  of  the  First  Division,  who,  instead 
of  going  forward  with  his  command,  was  in  a  bomb-proof  fifty 
yards  in  rear  of  the  point  from  which  the  charge  was  made,  and 
had  not  intrusted  either  of  his  brigade  commanders  with  the 
control  of  the  division,  or  given  them  proper  instructions.  The 
division  was  simply  there,  a  mass  of  brave  men  without  orders 
and  without  a  head.  It  had  been  wound  up  like  an  automatic 
machine,  set  in  motion,  launched  through  the  deadly  breach  and 
left  to  run  down  without  any  hand  to  guide  it.  If  the  order 
which  General  Meade  had  reiterated  with  so  much  emphasis,  viz  : 
''To  rush  at  once  for  the  crest,"  been  strictly  carried  out,  it 
would  have  cleared  the  way  for  the  troops  that  followed  and 
prevented  all  confusion. 

Nothing  could  be  accomplished  until  the  First  Division  had 
performed  its  part ;  without  that,  all  movements  that  were  made 
to  the  right  or  left  exposed  their  flanks  to  attack.  Every  officer 
from  colonel  down  to  second  lieutenant  was  giving  orders  of  some 
kind,  most  of  them  being  contradictory.  Some  frantically  com 
manded  "forward,"  others  "halt  and  intrench,"  while  others 
were  desperately  screaming  "give  way  to  the  right"  (or  left). 
It  was  a  typical  Bedlam.  Our  gallant  brigade  commander, 
General  Bartlett,  had  his  artificial  leg  crushed  early  in  the  engage 
ment  and  was  now  lying  back  in  the  crater  as  helpless  as  the 
buried  Confederates  around  him.  It  was  entirely  useless  to 
attempt  to  push  this  disorganized  force  against  the  enemy's 
lines  and  batteries.  The  greater  the  number  the  greater  the 
disadvantage. 


180  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

The  Third  Division  (General  Wilcox's)  followed  the  First ; 
the  leading  brigade  became  engulfed  in  the  crater,  but  the  second 
moved  to  the  left  and  gained  possession  of  some  portion  of  the 
enemy's  intrenchments.  The  Second  Division  (General  Potter's) 
moved  forward  by  the  flank,  and  when  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mine 
General  Griffin's  brigade  formed  line  and  bore  off  to  the  right, 
supported  by  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Bliss,  capturing  about  two 
hundred  yards  of  rifle  pits  and  advancing  beyond  in  the  direction 
of  the  crest.  The  advantage  gained  was  only  temporary.  It 
was  difficult  to  make  headway  against  the  intricate  works.  Ob 
stacles  of  all  kinds  were  encountered  —  pointed  stakes,  traverses, 
covered  ways  and  ditches,  which  were  bravely  defended  at  every 
step.  The  time  had  passed  when  anything  could  be  gained 
except  by  the  most  desperate  fighting.  About  two  hours  after 
the  first  assault  was  made,  the  Fourth  Division  (colored)  was 
sent  in  with  orders  to  "rush  for  the  crest."  Its  commander, 
instead  of  having  it  ready  to  move,  had  it  crowded  in  the  covered 
way  leading  to  the  advanced  line,  and  it  was  about  eight  o'clock 
before  it  could  file  out.  It  went  forward  with  great  impetuosity, 
but  a  large  part  of  it  crowded  into  the  crater,  where  it  only 
added  to  the  confusion.  Their  officers  worked  heroically  to  lead 
them  off  to  the  right  and  partially  succeeded.  The  First  Brigade, 
under  Colonel  Sigfried,  made  a  most  gallant  attack.  The  43d 
U.S.  Colored  Troops  attacked  the  intreuchments,  capturing  about 
two  hundred  prisoners,  a  stand  of  colors  and  recapturing  a  stand 
of  National  colors  that  had  been  lost  by  a  white  regiment.  The 
Second  Brigade  (colored),  under.  Colonel  Thomas,  was  considera 
bly  broken  in  getting  through,  and  only  fragments  of  it  were  led 
to  the  attack,  which,  after  suffering  a  heavy  loss,  were  driven 
back  and  eventually  took  refuge  in  the  crater,  which  seemed  like 
a  mighty  whirlpool,  whose  suction  drew  in  and  engulfed  all  who 
came  near  it,  although  there  was  no  music  of  sirens  to  entice 
them  there  to  meet  their  doom,  or  council  of  Circe  to  guide  them 
beyond. 

We  have  now  all  of  the  Ninth  Corps  in  and  around  the  cra 
ter,  then  the  Eighteenth  was  ordered  in.  After  desperate  work  two 
brigades  succeeded  in  gaining  the  intrenchments  to  the  right,  but 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


181 


were  unable  to  hold  them  and  were  finally  driven  out  and  back  to 
our  own  lines. 

After  considerable  time  had  been  wasted  by  the  First 
Division,  orders  finally  came  for  them  to  push  forward  to  the 
crest,  but  by  that  time  the  enemy  was  there  in  force,  with  troops 
forming  to  the  right,  left  and  front  for  the  attack.  Every  attempt 
to  move  forward  to  the  crest  was  repulsed  and  the  troops  driven 
back  again  to  the  crater.  Major  Prescott  made  an  attempt  to 
collect  the  regiment  and  move  forward  in  obedience  to  orders, 
but  was  killed  while  leading.  Captain  Dresser  took  his  place,  but 
was  killed  almost  immediately  after.  Captain  Howe,  being  a 
staff  officer  of  the  brigade,  made  a  gallant  attempt  to  lead  it  in  a 
charge  on  the  crest.  Mounting  the  extreme  outer  ridge  of  the 
crater  in  face  of  the  enemy,  who  was  now  advancing  in  force,  he 
waved  his  sword  for  the  brigade  to  follow,  but  fell  back  almost 
instantly,  shot  through  the  heart.  This  charge  by  the  enemy  was 
repulsed  by  the  First  Division,  which  now  ceased  further  attempts 
to  advance  and  instead  of  being  the  assailants  became  the 
defendants.  Charge  succeeded  charge  until  the  enemy  effected  a 
lodgment  within  a  few  feet  of  our  men  who  still  held  the  ruined 
fort,  so  near  we  could  almost  reach  each  other  with  the  bayonet. 
We  had  no  semblance  of  an  organization.  Whites  and  blacks 
were  squeezed  so  tightly  together  that  there  was  hardly  standing 
room.  Even  many  of  those  killed  were  held  in  a  standing  position 
until  jostled  to  the  ground.  The  dead  were  being  trodden  upon 
and  the  wounded  trampled  to  death.  No  pen  can  accurately 
portray  the  awful  horrors  of  that  scene  of  carnage.  The  mind 
gets  bewildered  in  making  the  attempt. 

"  Cannon  to  right  of  them, 
Cannon  to  left  of  them, 
Cannon  behind  them, 
Volley 'd  and  thuncler'd." 

It  was  one  seething  cauldron  of  struggling,  dying  men. 
Shells  were  falling  and  exploding  in  our  midst,  making  frightful 
havoc,  while  the  driving  storm  of  musketry  at  close  range  was 
simply  murderous.  Some  struggled  desperately  to  find  a  place  of 


182 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


security,  others  vainly  endeavored  to  free  themselves  so  they 
could  use  their  muskets  in  making  some  show  of  resistance. 

About  the  time  Howe  fell,  Lieutenants  Barton  and  Anderson 
were  wounded.  We  still  clung  to  the  hope  that  the  tide  of  battle 
would  turn  in  our  favor.  We  could  not  believe  that  we  had  been 
entirely  abandoned  in  this  dark  pit,  in  this  mouth  of  an  infernal 
Golgotha,  to  continue  such  a  hopeless  struggle  alone.  We  could 
not  give  up  the  hope  but  that  this  terrible  pressure  would  soon  be 
relieved  by  that  large  force  we  saw  massed  for  our  support  as  we 
moved  forward  early  in  the  morning.  Could  it  be  possible  that 
fifty  thousand  brave  men  were  to  remain  idle  witnesses  to  this 
brutal  slaughter?  It  seemed  hard  to  believe  what  but  a  short 
time  before  had  given  such  bright  promise  of  success  was  fast 
sinking  behind  such  a  black  cloud  of  horrible  disaster. 

For  at  least  an  hour  after  the  division  entered  the  crater, 
it  was  believed  by  those  who  were  in  a  position  where  they  could 
see,  that  one  gallant  and  determined  assault  from  our  main  lines 
of  intrenchments  upon  those  of  the  enemy  would  have  carried 
everything ;  as  their  force  was  still  weakened  by  the  absence  of 
the  troops  that  had  been  sent  north  of  the  James.  The  attention 
of  all  that  remained  was  directed  upon  the  Ninth  Corps  in  the 
crater.  If  a  direct  assault  had  ever  been  contemplated,  this 
presented  a  better  opportunity  than  had  ever  existed  before  or 
ever  would  again. 

How  often  we  turned  and  looked  anxiously  towards  our  lines 
only  to  be  disappointed.  Towards  noon  the  Confederate  troops 
that  had  been  sent  to  the  north  bank  of  the  James  to  meet  the 
threatened  attack  heretofore  referred  to,  were  beginning  to  ap 
proach  and  forming  to  deliver  the  final,  terrible  blow  that  shut 
out  the  last  ray  of  hope.  We  were  left  in  the  shambles  for  the 
slaughter  that  was  steadily  increasing.  About  this  time  General 
Meade  directed  a  suspension  of  hostilities  and  the  withdrawal  of 
the  troops  to  our  own  lines  "  whenever"  the  order  said,  "  it  could 
be  done  with  security." 

It  was  easy  to  suspend  hostilities,  but  it  was  not  easy  to 
withdraw  the  troops  from  the  crater  to  our  own  lines,  as  the 
enemy  had  placed  guns  and  infantry  in  position,  which  continued 


PETERSBURG   MINE.  183 

a  raking,  enfilading  fire  across  the  intervening  space  over  which 
the  retiring  force  would  have  to  pass.  It  seemed  almost  sure 
death  to  undertake  it. 

As  the  fire  of  the  Federal  batteries  slackened  under  the  order 
to  suspend  hostilities,  that  of  the  Confederates  continued  with 
increased  fury.  The  crater,  and  the  space  separating  it  from 
our  lines,  became  the  focus  upon  which  all  the  fire,  that  could  be 
brought  to  bear,  was  concentrated. 

Soon  after  noon  General  Burnside  sent  an  order  to  withdraw 
to  our  own  lines.  We  saw  General  Bartlett  sitting  upon  some  old 
logs  that  had  formerly  been  used  in  the  construction  of  the  fort, 
who  said  further  resistance  was  useless,  that  it  meant  simply 
murder,  and  gave  instructions  that  such  as  wished  to  take  the 
risk  of  getting  back  could  do  so,  as  he  should  be  forced  to  sur 
render.  Not  fancying  the  idea  of  accepting  the  hospitalities  of  a 
Confederate  prison  with  a  shattered  arm,  we  took  the  risk  and 
succeeded  in  getting  out.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  we  moved 
with  the  greatest  alacrity  and  were  not  long  in  crossing  this 
interval.  The  ground  was  being  ploughed  up  with  shot  and  shell 
while  a  perfect  tornado  of  musket  balls  swept  across  with  deadly 
effect.  It  was  passing  under  a  cloud  of  smoke  and  "  pillar  of 
fire,"  the  ground  was  strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying  over  which 
we  had  to  leap.  Others  were  attempting  to  make  their  way  out, 
and  men  were  falling  at  every  step. 

Soon  after  we  left  the  surrender  was  made  and  the  curtain 
fell  upon  a  tragedy  of  blunders,  summed  up  thus  :  The  conception 
was  excellent  in  every  respect,  but  when  it  came  to  the  execution, 
that  was  intrusted  to  the  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
who  intrusted  it  to  the  commander  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  he,  in  turn, 
to  division  commanders,  and  the  latter  passed  it  on  to  brigade 
commanders  without  adequate  instructions,  the  authority  weakening 
as  it  descended.  The  farther  one  went  to  the  rear  the  more  rank 
was  to  be  found  and  more  gaudy  uniforms ;  moving  back  as  far  as 
Washington,  officers  could  be  found  arrayed  like  "  Solomon  in  all 
his  glory."  There  were  the  brave  ones  who  were  always  ready  to 
tell  just  how  things  should  be  done.  There  must  have  been  some 
fearful  old  struggles  in  the  city  of  Washington  during  the  war 


184 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   KEGIMEXT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


that  overshadowed  all  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  could  have 
done.  The  privations  and  sufferings  of  those  who  had  only  hotel 
food  to  eat,  champagne  to  drink  and  soft  beds  to  sleep  on,  must 
have  been  terrible.  We  heard  of  one  valiant  brigadier-general 
who  before  leaving  his  beloved  State,  formulated  plans  for 
"  crushing  the  rebellion."  He  led  an  impetuous  charge  on 
Willard's  Hotel,  carried  it  by  storm  and  planted  his  colors  on  the 
battlements,  where  he  kept  them  proudly  and  defiantly  floating 
until  the  last  shot  of  the  war  had  been  fired.  This  was  indeed  a 
post  of  great  danger,  for  the  projectiles  that  float  around  licensed 
hotels  cause  "  many  brave  boys  to  fall."  No  congressional  vote 
of  thanks  or  other  rewrard,  save  a  poor  brevet,  did  this  brave 
officer  receive,  while  others  skulked  off  to  the  front  just  to  be  shot. 
It  is  the  general  impression  among  those  not  familiar  with  battle 
formations  that  the  generals  always  lead  and  do  the  bulk  of  fight 
ing,  the  same  as  the  ancient  Greeks  and  Trojans.  If  the  forma 
tions  of  modern  times  could  be  reversed  there  would  be  fewer 
battles  and  fewer  casualties. 

The  general  directions  to  govern  the  crater  engagement  were 
sent  by  staff  officers  from  the  general  commanding,  whose  head 
quarters  were  in  a  shady  grove  about  a  mile  in  rear,  where  he 
could  see  nothing  personally  of  what  was  going  011,  but  depended 
for  information  upon  reports  that  were  brought  to  him. 

General  Grant  subsequently  stated  that  he  went  to  the  front 
as  early  as  six  o'clock  and  then  observed  that  the  opportunity  of 
gaining  a  success  had  passed.  At  that  time  and  for  more  than 
an  hour  after,  there  is  little  doubt  but  the  troops  could  have  been 
withdrawn  with  small  loss  had  the  attempt  been  made.  Before 
the  final  surrender  the  enemy  had  approached  and  delivered  his 
fire  at  such  close  range  upon  the  mass  of  crowded  men  as  to 
burn  with  powder  smoke  those  who  stood  in  front.  The  left 
wing  of  the  regiment,  with  the  color  guard  and  colors,  sur 
rendered. 

The  night  not  only  brought  darkness,  but  such  sorrow  and 
gloom  as  had  never  been  felt  before.  We  had  seen  the  regiment 
very  nearly  annihilated  and  had  lost  friends  we  dearly  loved.  In 
the  loss  of  the  colors  our  pride  had  been  humiliated,  yet  we  felt  a 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


185 


consciousness  that  the  brave  men  who  were  with  the  Fifty-Seventh 
that  day  had  done  all,  under  the  circumstances,  that  brave  men 
could  do.  Looking  back  at  it  over  the  pages  of  history,  we  are 
unable  to  see  anything  on  the  part  of  the  regiment  that  we  are 
not  proud  to  place  on  record  ;  not  one  skulked  or  ran  away,  but 
all  stood  up  manfully  and  faced  death  in  obedience  to  orders  and 
in  the  discharge  of  duty.  They  would  have  charged  the  crest  in 
the  first  instance  had  any  officer  in  authority  been  there  to  lead 
them  or  give  the  necessary  orders.  The  responsibility  of  failure 
did  not  rest  with  those  who  participated  in  the  engagement,  either 
white  or  black,  but  those  who  were  charged  with  the  management. 
Men  who  freely  give  their  lives  can  do  no  more. 

The  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  lost  in  this  engagement 
three  officers  killed,  two  wounded  and  one  missing.  The  killed 
were  Maj.  Albert  Prescott,  Capts.  George  H.  Howe  and  E.  T. 
Dresser.  Lieuts.  George  E.  Barton  and  John  Anderson  wounded 
and  Lieut.  John  Reade  missing.  Forty-five  (45)  enlisted  men 
killed,  wounded  and  missing,  viz.  :  — 

KILLED. 

Dwight  I).  Allen,    1st  Sergt.  Co.  H. 
Henry  Day,  Pvt.  Co.  C. 

WOUNDED. 

George  W.  Foster,  Pvt.,  Co.  A. 

Thomas  Mara, 

Adam  Petty, 

William  J.  Roper,     " 

Charles  F.  Paddock,  "     Co.  B. 

Charles  T.  Randall,  " 

Daniel  O'Keefe,         "     Co.  D. 

Benjamin  O'Brien,    " 

James  G.  Powers      "     Co.  C  (died  of  wounds  Aug.  2d,  18G4). 

Rufus  G.  Farnsworth,  Sergt.  Co.  F. 

George  F.  Sabine,  Pvt.  Co.  F. 

Dennis  Donavan,     "     Co.  G. 

Charles  Wright,        'l     Co.  I. 

Michael  Cadigan,     tl     Co.  K     (died    of    wounds  Aug.  Gtb,  1864). 

Albert  W.  Howe,     "         "         (died   of   wounds  July  30th,   1864). 

Charles  A.  Lewis,    "         " 


186  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


MISSING. 

George  H.  Parks,  Sergt.  Co.  A  (died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Sept.  19th, 

1864). 
Lavell  F.  Hull,  Pvt.  Co.  A  (died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Nov.  20th,  1864, 

prisoner  of  war). 

H.  A.  Wilson,  Sergt.  Co.  A  (taken  prisoner). 
Hosea  Warren,  Pvt.  Co.  A  (died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Oct.  1st,  1864, 

rebel  prison). 
Martin  Kiely,  Pvt.  Co.  B  (died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Jan.  6th,  1865, 

rebel  prison). 

Jerry  Sullivan,  Pvt.  Co.  B  (prisoner  of  war). 
Edward  Terrell,  "          "  " 

Hynes  Wilson,     "     Co.  C  (died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Dec.  17th,  1864, 

prisoner  of  war). 
Michael   Powers,  Pvt.  Co.  C  (died   at  Danville,  Va.,  Nov.   21st, 

1864). 

James  U.  Cobleigh,  Pvt.  Co.  D  (died  of  wounds  July  30th,  1864) 
Batt  Finn,  Pvt.  Co.  E. 

Thomas  Hughes,     "         " 
Thomas  N.  Welch,  "         <c 
Edwin  Collins, 
Michael  Miles,         "     Co.  F. 
Frank  Lalley,  "     Co.  G. 

David  B.  Curtis,     " 
Augustus  Champney,  Pvt.  Co.  G  (died  from  wounds  at  Richmond, 

Va.,  Aug.  6th,  1864). 
William  C.  Park,  Sergt.  Co.  H  (died  Jan.  31st,  1865,  at  Danville, 

Va.) 

William  Connelly,  Sergt.  Co.  H. 
Daniel  A,  Leonard,  Pvt.  Co.  H  (died  Sept.  9th,  1864,  at  Danville, 

Va.) 

Andrew  Murry,  Pvt.  Co.  H. 
John  Ryan,  Pvt.  Co.  H. 
William  F    Howard,  Pvt.  Co.  I  (died  Feb.  23d,  1865,  at  Danville, 

Va.) 

F.  M.  Harrington,  Pvt.  Co.  K. 
Stephen  H.  Phelps,  Pvt.  Co.  K  (died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug. 

26th,  1864). 
Benjamin  A.  Shear,  Pvt.  Co.  K. 

Of  the  twenty-seven  that  were  officially  reported  as  missing, 
many  were  killed  who  could  not  be  seen  in  the  confusion  of 
battle,  therefore  their  names  were  placed  on  the  list  of  missing, 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  187 

until  later  it  was  ascertained  that  they  were  either  killed  or  died 
of  wounds. 

The  total  loss  reported  by  General  Meade  was  4,400  killed, 
wounded  and  missing.  A  tabular  statement  submitted  by  the 
medical  department  places  it  at  419  killed,  1,679  wounded  and 
1,910  missing.  All  but  about  one  hundred  belonged  to  the  Ninth 
Corps.  The  Confederate  loss  was  not  much  over  one  thousand. 
The  proportion  of  officers  killed  and  wounded  was  unusually 
large.  The  Fifty-Seventh  lost  six  out  of  seven  officers,  and 
forty-five  out  of  ninety-one  enlisted  men,  leaving  only  forty-six 
enlisted  men  in  the  regiment,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Albert  Doty. 
The  description  here  given  and  the  opinions  expressed  are  based 
upon  personal  knowledge.  The  affair  was  too  indelibly  impressed 
upon  the  minds  of  all  who  were  there  ever  to  be  forgotten.  As 
we  always  like  to  look  upon  both  sides  of  such  important  matters, 
we  beg  to  quote  a  very  vivid  description  given  by  Gen.  Fitzhugh 
Lee,  nephew  of  Gen  R.  E.  Lee,  in  a  book  which  he  has  recently 
written.  This  gives  the  Confederate  view  of  it :  — 

"Lee  heard  what  had  been  done  at  six  A.M.  and  promptly 
took  steps  to  retake  the  position  and  sent  a  staff  officer  for  troops 
to  do  it,  and  took  a  commanding  position  about  five  hundred 
yards  in  rear  of  the  crater.  Beauregard  was  already  there  and 
soon  Mahoue,  with  two  brigades,  Weiseger's  and  Wright's, 
arrived  and  formed  in  a  ravine  in  rear  of  the  crater.  The 
Virginia  brigade  had  formed  for  the  attack  and  the  Georgia 
troops  were  in  the  act  of  forming,  when  suddenly  Lieut. -Col. 
John  A.  Bross,  of  the  31st  U.S.  Colored  Troops,  sprang  upon  the 
crest  of  the  crater,  waving  a  flag  and  calling  for  his  men  to 
follow  him.  General  Weiseger,  commanding  the  Virginia  brigade, 
saw  him,  and  thinking  his  position  would  be  assailed  determined 
to  move  first  and  appealed,  he  says,  to  Captain  Girardy,  of 
Mahone's  staff,  to  give  the  order,  for  he  had  been  directed  by 
Mahone  to  wait  until  he  or  Girardy  ordered  him  forward.  The 
order  was  given  and  the  lines  were  captured  by  a  most  gallant 
charge.  The  crater  remained  crammed  with  human  beings,  living 
and  dead,  into  which  huge  missiles  from  mortars  were  bursting. 
The  Georgia  brigade  advanced  and  attempted  to  dislodge  the 


188  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 

Union  troops  in  the  lines  south  of  the  crater,  but  failed.  Later 
the  Alabama  brigade  came  up,  when  a  general  assault  by  these 
and  other  troops  on  the  lines  upon  either  side  of  the  crater  was 
made,  and  everywhere  successfully.  Just  then  a  white  handker 
chief  on  the  end  of  a  ramrod  was  projected  above  the  crater  in 
token  of  the  surrender  of  the  men  there.  Altogether  it  was  a 
horrible  affair ;  and  what  promised,  Grant  said,  to  be  the  most 
successful  assault  of  the  campaign,  terminated  in  disaster,  a  dis 
aster  in  which  the  Federals  lost  four  thousand  men  ....  Fifty 
thousand  troops  were  ready  to  support  it  but  proper  debouches 
had  not  been  prepared." 

Gen.  R.  E.  Lee,  in  writing  of  it,  said:  k'I  sent  General 
Mahone  with  two  brigades  of  Hill's  Corps,  who  charged  into  them 
handsomely,  recapturing  the  intreuchments  and  guns,  twelve 
stands  of  colors,  seventy-three  officers,  including  General  Bartlett, 
his  staff,  three  colonels  and  eight  hundred  and  fifty  enlisted  men.* 
There  were  upward  of  five  hundred  of  his  dead  unburied  in  the 
trenches,  among  them  many  officers  and  blacks." 

General  Bartlett  writes  in  a  private  letter  of  his  experience : 
"We  rushed  across  the  open  field.  I  got  up  to  the  enemy's 
works  about  as  soon  as  anyone,  got  into  the  crater,  took  the  first 
and  second  lines  of  the  enemy,  held  them  until  after  one,  when 
we  were  driven  back  by  repeated  charges.  I  fought  them  for  an 
hour  after  they  held  the  whole  line,  excepting  the  crater  where  we 
were,  their  flag  within  seven  feet  of  ours  across  the  works.  They 
threw  bayonets  and  bottles  on  us,  and  we  returned,  for  we  got 
out  of  ammunition.  At  last  to  save  further  slaughter,  there  being 
no  hope  of  our  being  rescued,  we  gave  it  up.  The  crater  during 
that  day  I  shall  never  forget.  A  shell  knocked  down  a  boulder  of 
clay  on  my  wood  leg  and  crushed  it  to  pieces,  killing  the  man  next 
me.  I  surrendered  to  General  Mahone." 

It  was  a  day  of  intense  heat.  The  unburied  dead  lay  be 
tween  the  lines  exposed  to  the  hot  rays  of  the  sun  until  the  second 
day  after  the  battle,  when  they  were  buried  upon  the  field  under  a 
flag  of  truce. 

The  body  of  Captain  Howe  was  the  only  one  recovered. 
That  was  brought  out  before  the  surrender  and  taken  to  the  City 


*Should  be  nineteen  hundred  and  ten.    J.  A. 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


189 


Point  hospital  where  it  was  embalmed  and  forwarded  to  his  rela 
tives  in  Monson,  Mass.,  for  burial.  The  burial  service  was  con 
ducted  by  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 
The  funeral  was  to  have  been  held  in  the  Methodist  Church  to 
which  he  belonged,  but  the  assembled  multitude  was  so  great  that 
not  one-tenth  of  them  could  gain  admission,  hence  the  ceremony 
was  held  in  the  open  air.  It  was  a  beautiful  Sunday  in  August. 
The  people  for  miles  around  the  country  came  nocking  in  to  pay 
their  last  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory,  as  his  remains  were 
placed  at  rest  surrounded  by  the  peaceful  hills  of  his  native  town. 
Captain  Howe  was  born  in  Monson.  We  knew  him  well  and 
intimately  from  early  life.  We  had  been  boys  together  and  grew 
up  together  and  were  always  staunch  friends.  We  clung  to  him 
as  to  an  older  brother  and  knew  his  worth  as  no  one  else.  No  man 
ever  put  on  the  uniform  of  a  soldier  with  a  loftier  sense  of  duty 
than  he.  His  whole  heart  and  soul  were  in  the  cause  of  his 
country.  He  was  educated  in  the  academy  at  Wilbraham,  Mass., 
and  when  the  war  broke  out  was  a  young  man  holding  a  lucrative 
position  as  teacher  in  one  of  the  educational  institutions  in  Can 
ada.  Although  in  a  foreign  country  he  was  enthusiastic  and  loyal 
to  his  native  land.  Resigning  his  position  there  he  came  home  to 
Monson  and  enlisted,  at  the  age  of  twenty- three,  in  Company  Gr 
of  the  46th  Massachusetts,  and  was  elected  1st  Lieutenant. 
After  having  been  mustered  out  by  reason  of  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service  he  again  offered  his  services  and  was  appointed 
2d  Lieutenant  in  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  Nov.  2d, 
1863,  and  went  to  Palmer,  where  he  helped  to  fill  the  quota 
of  that  town  and  several  others,  helping  to  raise  a  Company, 
E,  which  was  mustered  in  as  the  fourth  company  to  com 
plete  its  complement,  Jan.  25th,  1864,  and  wras  appointed  its 
captain.  Soon  after  taking  the  field  in  Virginia  he  was  appointed 
assistant  inspector-general  on  the  staff  of  the  brigade  comman 
der,  which  position  he  held  at  the  time  he  was  killed.  He  was 
regarded  as  very  capable  and  efficient.  He  believed  that  duty 
came  before  everything  else,  and  while  he  was  always  rigid  in  the 
strict  compliance  of  orders,  he  was  just  as  rigid  in  exacting  it  of 
others  wiio  were  under  him.  He  sealed  his  devotion  to  the  cause 


190 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


of  bis  country  with  his  life.  No  higher  testimony  of  his  worth 
can  be  offered.  It  fills  the  measure  of  all  eloquence  in  eulogy  to 
say  of  him  that  he  died  for  his  country  and  flag  upon  the  field  of 
battle  with  his  face  to  the  foe. 

Captain  Edson  T.  Dresser,  who  was  also  killed  in  this 
engagement,  was  a  native  of  Stockbridge,  Mass.  He  left  college 
early  in  the  war  to  answer  the  call  of  his  country  for  the  services 
of  her  patriotic  sons.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  of  the  49th  Massachusetts,  was  elected  1st  Lieutenant 
and  participated  with  that  regiment,  under  command  of  our  own 
Colonel,  the  gallant  Bartlett,  in  the  campaign  and  several  engage 
ments  around  Port  Hudson.  He  was  mustered  out  with  the  regi 
ment  at  the  expiration  of  his  time.  He  again  offered  his  services 
and  was  appointed  captain  of  Company  D,  Fifty-Seventh  Massa 
chusetts,  to  date  from  Jan.  25th,  1864.  Chaplain  Dashiell, 
who  was  personally  acquainted  with  him,  pays  this  just  tribute  to 
his  memory:  "No  officer  in  the  regiment  was  more  respected 
and  beloved  than  Capt.  Edson  T.  Dresser  of  Stockbridge. 
Leaving  college  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  his  country,  he  exhibited 
every  quality  which  promised  to  raise  him  to  command  had  his 
life  been  spared.  But  all  too  soon  he  yielded  it  as  a  precious 
gift  to  his  country." 

The  green  hills  of  old  Berkshire  sent  many  noble  and  gallant 
men  into  the  army  in  defense  of  the  Union.  Such  names  as 
Edson  T.  Dresser  will  keep  the  memory  of  their  loyalty  green 
upon  the  pages  of  history.  As  the  Plains  of  Abraham  are 
rendered  immortal  by  such  names  as  Wolfe  and  Montgomery,  so 
will  such  names  as  Dresser  stand,  in  endearing  memory,  among 
the  everlasting  hills  of  loyal  Berkshire. 

Another  name  that  stands  with  the  honored  dead  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh  is  that  of  Maj.  Albert  Prescott.  He  joined  the 
regiment  March  2d,  1864,  as  captain  of  Company  I,  having  seen 
honorable  service  prioi  to  that  time.  His  military  record  was  as 
follows:  1st  Sergeant  Company  K,  oth  Massachusetts  V.M. 
(three  months),  April  19th  to  July  31st,  1861.  He  again  entered 
the  service  as  1st  Sergeant  of  Company  B,  36th  Massachusetts, 
July  30th,  1862,  and  was  promoted  to  captain  of  the  same 


EDSON   T.    DRESSER, 

Capt.  57th  Mass. 


GEO.    H.    HOWE, 

Capt.  57th  Mass. 


LEVI   LAWRENCE, 

Capt.  57th  Mass. 


JOSEPH    W.    GIRD, 

Capt    57th  Mass. 


PETERSBURG    MINE 


191 


company  Aug.  28th,  1862,  resigning  April  29th,  1863,  and 
remaining  out  of  service  until  appointed  captain  in  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts.  He  was  a  man  of  genial  disposition, 
generous  hearted  and  a  true  friend.  We  had  not  known  him  in 
private  life,  but  his  character  as  a  soldier  was  upright  and 
honorable.  He  fell  with  his  sword  drawn  in  defense  of  his 
country  and  died  under  the  folds  of  the  tattered  flag  which  he 
had  bravely  followed,  and  thus  closed  the  pages  of  his  earthly 
life. 

Of  the  enlisted  men  who  were  captured,  very  few  survived  the 
sufferings  and  privations  of  prison  life.  A  very  touching  inci 
dent  is  related  of  two  who  were  taken  prisoners  at  the  crater 
and  confined  in  the  Confederate  prison  at  Danville,  Va.  Sergt. 
George  H.  Parks  of  Company  A  was  sick  when  he  went  into  the 
engagement.  After  having  been  captured,  and  thus  deprived  of 
proper  medical  attendance,  his  condition  became  worse.  A  Con 
federate  prison  was  not  conducive  to  the  good  health  of  even  the 
strongest  constitution,  but  to  a  man  going  there  sick,  the  chances 
of  ever  getting  out  alive  were  very  poor  He  lingered  day  after 
day,  clinging  to  the  fond  hope  that  possibly  he  might  be  exchanged 
and  his  life  saved.  Anxiously  and  patiently  he  waited  and 
eagerly  caught  at  every  rumor  of  exchange  as  "  a  drowning  man 
grasps  at  a  straw,"  but  it  was  only  repeated  disappointment.  His 
condition  grew  worse  from  day  .to  day.  Finally  a  list  of  names 
came  for  exchange,  and  every  man  listened  with  breathless  interest 
as  it  was  read.  How  anxiously  did  poor  Parks  listen  in  hopes  of 
hearing  his  own  name,  but  the  list  was  completed,  the  paper 
folded,  and  his  name  was  not  called.  Turning  sadly  away,  it 
seemed  as  if  the  last  ray  of  hope  had  disappeared  and  he  was  to 
be  left  to  a  lingering  death.  Those  whose  names  had  been  called 
were  happy  in  anticipation  of  getting  into  "  God's  country  "  once 
more  (wherever  our  flag  floated  was  called  by  prisoners  u  God's 
country  "),  of  seeing  friends  and  home  and  of  getting  away  from 
suffering  and  starvation.  A  comrade,  Francis  M.  Harrington  by 
name,  private  of  Company  K,  Fifty-Seventh,  who  was  captured 
at  the  same  time  with  Parks,  was  made  happy  by  hearing  his  own 
name  called  from  the  list  for  exchange,  but  witnessing  Parks' 


192 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


bitter  disappointment  and  knowing  that  it  was  sure  death  for  him 
to  remain  longer  in  prison,  with  heroic  self-sacrifice,  stepped  aside 
and  gave  way  to  Parks,  and  the  latter  was  exchanged  in  his  place. 
But  the  sad  story  we  tell  of  him  can  be  told  of  hundreds  of 
others.  He  never  lived  to  reach  that  home  he  had  so  longed  for, 
but  died  Sept.  19th,  1864,  soon  after  reaching  Annapolis,  Md. 
Prison  life  had  killed  him.  Harrington  remained  in  prison  for 
some  time  longer,  and  when  finally  exchanged  was  completely 
broken  in  health.  This  incident  was  not  related  to  us  by 
Harrington,  who  is  too  modest  to  speak  in  praise  of  himself,  but 
was  learned  through  others  who  vouch  for  its  truth.  Such  inci 
dents  as  these  were  rare  indeed. 

No  one,  but  those  who  have  suffered  as  prisoners  of  war,  can 
know  what  an  unselfish  sacrifice  Harrington  made.  With  liberty, 
life,  home  and  friends  within  his  grasp,  he  gave  them  all  to 
save  the  life  of  his  comrade.  Deeds  of  valor  upon  the  battle 
field  can  be  painted  in  glowing  colors,  but  what  painter's  brush 
can  portray  the  valor  of  the  man  who  gives  all  his  long  cherished 
hopes  to  another,  while  he  remains  to  suffer  exposure,  disease 
and  slow  starvation  !  Such  heroes  have  lived  and  passed  silently 
away,  with  no  record  of  their  brave  deeds  save  that  the  influence 
of  such  lives  is  never  lost  in  the  community  where  they  dwell  in 
humble  security. 

Chaplain  Dashiell,  in  writing  of  this  battle,  says:  "The 
regiment  had  nothing  to  regret,  except  that  their  splendid  courage 
and  great  sacrifice  failed  to  accomplish  anything  worthy  of  the 
cause,  owing  to  the  bungling  and  incapacity  of  the  division  com 
mander.  Indeed,  the  wretched  leadership  of  these  commanders 
made  the  fatal  day  memorable  for  the  useless  waste  of  life.  The 
rebels  on  this,  as  on  a  former  occasion  at  Cold  Harbor,  showed 
their  inhumanity  in  denying  a  flag  of  truce  for  the  purpose  of 
rescuing  the  wounded  lying  between  the  lines ;  and  it  was  not 
until  Monday,  two  days  following,  that  it  was  allowed,  when 
the  burying  party  could  scarcely  distinguish  a  black  man  from 
a  *white  one,  and  many  of  the  wounded  had  died  from  want  of 
attention." 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


193 


A  letter  was  received  by  the  chaplain  from  Danville,  where 
our  men  were  carried  as  prisoners,  giving  a  deplorable  account  of 
their  condition.  Men  were  robbed  of  their  clothing  and  were 
suffering  for  the  want  of  it.  A  supply  was  sent  by  Colonel 
Tufts,  the  Massachusetts  State  Agent,  through  the  Exchange 
Bureau  at  Richmond,  which  never  reached  them. 

Information  was  received  that  Sergt.  D wight  D.  Allen  of 
Company  H  was  mortally  wounded  and  died  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Sergeant  Allen  was  a  brave  soldier  and  one  who  was 
greatly  beloved  and  respected  by  both  officers  and  enlisted  men. 
He  is  spoken  of  as  "  genial,  kind  and  faithful  in  all  his  inter 
course  with  the  regiment." 

In  a  private  letter  from  General  Bartlett  soon  after  his 
capture,  he  said  :  "It  was  impossible  to  withdraw  without  sacri 
ficing  all  the  men,  so  I  held  on  as  long  as  possible  in  hope  of 
reinforcements.  The  negroes  wrere  crowded  in  the  same  pit 
with  us  when  they  retreated  in  such  confusion,  and  we  have 
been  treated  worse  on  account  of  being  taken  with  them." 

"We  have  heretofore  spoken  of  the  intense  hatred  caused  by 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  employing  colored  men  as 
soldiers.  It  seemed  to  add  increased  poison  to  the  sting  of  death 
to  be  shot  by  a  negro.  The  Confederates  considered  such  an  act 
as  violating  all  rules  of  warfare  and  the  sacred  rights  of  humanity. 
To  such  a  high  pitch  did  this  feeling  rise  that  Jefferson  Davis, 
President  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  referring  to  President 
Lincoln's  proclamation  abolishing  slavery  and  authorizing  the 
employment  of  negroes  in  the  armed  forces  of  the  United  States, 
in  his  third  annual  message  to  the  Confederate  Congress,  made 
use  of  the  following  language  :  ' '  Our  own  detestation  of  those 
who  have  attempted  the  most  execrable  measures  recorded  in  the 
history  of  guilty  man  is  tempered  by  profound  contempt  for  the 
impotent  rage  which  it  discloses.  So  far  as  regards  the  action  of 
this  government  on  such  criminals  as  may  attempt  its  execution, 
I  confine  myself  to  informing  you  that  I  shall,  unless  in  your 
wisdom  you  deem  some  other  course  more  expedient,  deliver  to 
the  several  State  authorities  all  commissioned  officers  of  the 
United  States  that  may  hereafter  be  captured  by  our  forces  in 

13 


194 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


any  of  the  States  embraced  in  the  proclamation,  that  they  be 
dealt  with  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  those  States  providing 
for  the  punishment  of  criminals  engaged  in  exciting  servile 
insurrection.  The  enlisted  soldiers  I  shall  continue  to  treat  as 
unwilling  instruments  in  the  commission  of  these  crimes  and  shall 
direct  their  discharge  and  return  to  their  homes  on  the  proper  and 
usual  parole." 

The  effect  of  this  measure  upon  the  Confederate  Congress 
was  to  cause  it  to  pass  a  resolution,  by  both  houses,  denning  a 
law,  then  in  force,  in  relation  to  servile  insurrection,  the  penalty 
of  which  was  death,  and  declaring  all  officers  in  command  of 
colored  troops  guilty  of  the  violation  of  it,  and  when  captured, 
they  were  to  suffer  the  full  penalty  which  it  provided.  While  this 
resolution  does  not  pertain  directly  to  the  history  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts,  yet  it  concerned  the  officers  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  as  well  as  all  other  officers  captured  at  the  crater  where 
colored  troops  were  engaged,  and  shows  that  they  were  treated 
with  more  severity  and  greater  indignity,  as  prisoners,  on  that 
account.  This  resolution  is  such  an  extraordinary  piece  of  legis 
lation  and  published  in  so  few  histories  of  the  war,  I  have  consid 
ered  it  a  matter  in  which  all  surviving  members  of  the  Fifty- Seventh 
will  feel  an  interest. 

Resolved,  By  the  Congress  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  in 
response  to  the  message  of  the  President,  transmitted  to  Congress  at  the 
commencement  of  the  present  session  :  First,  That  in  the  opinion  of 
Congress,  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  enemy  ought  not  to  he  deliv 
ered  to  the  authorities  of  the  respectives  States,  as  suggested  in  the 
said  message,  but  all  captives  taken  by  the  Confederate  forces  ought  to 
be  dealt  with  and  disposed  of  by  the  Confederate  government, 

Second,  That  in  the  judgment  of  Congress,  the  proclamations  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  dated  respectively  Sept.  22d,  1802,  and 
Jan.  1st,  18G3,  and  other  measures  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States  and  of  its  authorities,  commanders  and  forces  designed  or  tending 
to  emancipate  slaves  in  the  Confederate  States,  or  to  abduct  such  slaves, 
or  to  incite  them  to  insurrection,  or  to  employ  negroes  in  war  against 
the  Confederate  States,  or  to  overthrow  the  institution  of  African 
slavery,  and  bring  on  a  servile  war  in  these  States,  would,  if  successful, 
produce  atrocious  consequences,  and  they  are  inconsistent  with  the  spirit 
of  those  usages  which,  in  modern  warfare,  prevail  among  civilized 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


195 


nations ;  they  may,  therefore,  be  properly  and  lawfully  repressed  by 
retaliation. 

Third,  That  in  every  case  wherein,  daring  the  present  war,  any 
violation  of  the  laws  or  usages  of  war  among  civilized  nations  shall  be 
or  has  been  done  or  perpetrated  by  those  acting  under  the  authority  of 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  on  the  persons  or  property  of  the 
citizens  of  the  Confederate  States,  or  of  those  under  the  protection  or 
in  the  land  or  naval  service  of  the  Confederate  States,  or  of  any  State  of 
the  Confederacy,  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States  is  hereby 
authorized  to  cause  full  and  ample  retaliation  to  be  made  for  every  such 
violation,  in  such  manner  and  to  such  extent  as  he  may  think  proper. 

Fourth,  That  every  white  person,  being  a  commissioned  officer,  or 
acting  as  such,  who,  daring  the  present  Avar,  shall  command  negroes  or 
mulattoes  in  arms  against  the  Confederate  States,  or  who  shall  arm, 
train,  organize  or  prepare  negroes  or  mulattoes  for  military  service 
against  the  Confederate  States,  or  who  shall  voluntarily  aid  negroes  or 
mulattoes  in  any  military  enterprise,  attack  or  conflict  in  such  service, 
shall  be  deemed  as  inciting  servile  insurrection,  and  shall,  if  captured, 
be  put  to  death,  or  be  otherwise  punished  at  the  discretion  of  the 
court. 

Fifth,  Every  person,  being  a  commissioned  officer,  or  acting  as 
such,  in  the  service  of  the  enemy,  who  shall,  during  the  present  war, 
excite,  attempt  to  excite,  or  cause  to  be  excited,  a  servile  insurrection, 
or  who  shall  incite  or  cause  to  be  incited,  a  slave  to  rebel,  shall,  if  cap- 
tared,  be  put  to  death,  or  otherwise  punished  at  the  discretion  of  the 
court. 

Sixth,  Every  person  charged  with  an  otfense  punishable  under  the 
preceding  resolutions  shall,  daring  the  present  war,  be  tried  before  the 
military  court  attached  to  the  army  or  corps,  by  the  troops  of  which  he 
shall  have  been  captured,  or  by  such  other  military  court  as  the  President 
may  direct,  and  in  such  manner  and  under  such  regulations  as  the  President 
shall  prescribe ;  and  after  conviction  the  President  may  commute  the 
punishment  in  such  manner  and  on  such  terms  as  he  may  deem 
proper 

These  resolutions  were  of  the  most  surprising  character. 
Under  their  provisions  almost  any  Federal  officer  engaged  in 
battle  where  colored  troops  were  employed,  could  easily  be  con 
victed  and  made  liable  to  the  penalties  for  which  they  provided. 
Colored  soldiers  and  their  white  officers  who  had  heretofore  been 
captured  by  the  Confederates  had,  in  more  than  one  instance, 
been  wantonly  murdered.  It  required  more  than  ordinary  courage 
to  command  colored  troops  under  the  provisions  of  these  resolu- 


196  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

tious  and  in  the  face  of  the  atrocities  that  had  already  been 
committed  upon  them.  They  were  not  only  exposed  to  the 
dangers  of  battle,  but  were  treated  to  every  indignity,  if  captured, 
and  even  then  stood  in  greater  danger  of  death  than  in  actual 
battle ;  yet  the  officers  who  led  the  colored  troops  through  the 
crater  did  so  without  flinching  and  behaved  in  the  most  gallant 
manner,  as  did  also  the  men  who  followed  them.  There  were 
many  conspicuous  incidents  of  gallantry  that  day  that  were  passed 
unobserved. 

As  the  Fifty-Seventh  claims  a  share  in  the  history  of  the 
crater  of  which  it  is  not  ashamed,  we  beg  to  pause  before  pro 
ceeding  to  the  next  chapter  to  note  the  views  and  conclusions  that 
were  arrived  at  by  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  which  was  ordered  by  the 
President  to  examine  into,  report  upon  the  facts  and  circum 
stances  and  fix  the  responsibility  for  the  failure.  The  court  was 
convened  at  City  Point  and  spent  considerable  time  in  taking- 
testimony,  much  of  which  was  conflicting.  After  careful  delibera 
tion  the  court  rendered  the  following  decision  fixing  the  responsi 
bility  :  - 

I.  Major-General  A.  E.  Burnside,  United  States  Volunteers,  he 
having  failed  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  commanding  general. 

1st.  In  not  giving  such  formation  to  his  assaulting  column  as  to 
insure  a  reasonable  prospect  of  success. 

2d.  In  not  preparing  his  parapets  and  abatis  for  the  passage  of  the 
columns  of  assault. 

3d.  In  not  employing  engineer  officers,  who  reported  to  him,  to 
lead  the  assaulting  columns  with  working  parties,  and  not  causing  to  be 
provided  proper  materials  necessary  for  crowning  the  crest  when  the 
assaulting  column  should  arrive  there. 

4th.  In  neglecting  to  execute  Major-General  Meade's  orders  re 
specting  the  prompt  advance  of  General  Ledlie's  troops  from  the  crater 
to  the  crest;  or,  in  default  of  accomplishing  that,  not  causing  those 
troops  to  fall  back  and  give  place  to  other  troops  more  willing  and  equal 
to  the  task,  instead  of  delaying  until  the  opportunity  passed  away,  thus 
affording  time  for  the  enemy  to  recover  from  his  surprise,  concentrate 
his  fire  and  bring  Ms  troops  to  operate  against  the  Union  troops  assem 
bled  uselessly  in  the  crater.  Notwithstanding  the  failure  to  comply  with 
orders,  and  to  apply  proper  military  principles,  ascribed  to  General 
Burnside,  the  Court  is  satisfied  he  believed  that  the  measures  taken  by 
him  would  insure  success. 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  197 

II  Brigadier-General  J.  H.  Ledlie,  United  States  Volunteers,  he 
having  failed  to  push  forward  his  division  promptly  according  to  orders, 
and  thereby  blocking  up  the  avenue  which  was  designed  for  the 
passage  of  troops  ordered  to  follow  and  support  him  in  the  assault.  It 
is  in  evidence  that  no  commander  reported  to  General  Burusicle  that  his 
troops  could  not  be  got  forward,  which  the  Court  regards  as  a  neglect 
of  duty  on  the  part  of  General  Ledlie,  inasmuch  as  a  timely  report  of  the 
misbehavior  might  have  enabled  General  Bnrnside,  commanding  the 
assault,  to  have  made  other  arrangements  for  prosecuting  it  before  it 
became  too  late.  Instead  of  being  with  his  division  during  this  difficulty 
in  the  crater,  and  by  his  personal  efforts  endeavoring  to  lead  his  troops 
forward,  he  was  most  of  the  time  in  a  bomb-proof,  ten  rods  in  the  rear 
of  the  main  line  of  the  Xinth  Corps  works,  where  it  was  impossible  for 
him  to  see  anything  of  the  movements  of  troops  that  were  going  on. 

III.     Brigadier-General  Edward  Ferrero,  United  States  Volunteers. 

1st.  For  not  having  all  his  troops  found  ready  for  the  attack  at 
the  prescribed  time. 

2d.     In  not  going  forward  with  them  to  the  attack. 

3d.  Being  in  a  bomb-proof  habitually  where  he  could  not  see  the 
operations  of  his  troops,  showing  by  his  own  order,  issued  while  there, 
that  he  did  not  know  the  position  of  two  brigades  of  his  division,  or 
whether  they  had  taken  Cemetery  Hill  or  not. 

4th.  Colonel  Z.  11.  Bliss,  Seventh  Rhode  Island  Volunteers,  com 
manding  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Ninth  Corps.  In  this,  that  he 
remained  behind  with  the  only  regiment  of  his  brigade  which  did  not  go 
forward  according  to  the  orders,  and  occupied  a  position  where  he 
could  not  properly  command  a  brigade  which  formed  a  portion  of  an 
assaulting  column,  and  where  he  could  not  see  what  was  going  on. 

5th.  Brigadier-General  0.  B.  Wilcox,  United  States  Volunteers.  The 
Court  is  not  satisfied  that  General  Wilcox's  division  made  efforts  commen 
surate  with  the  occasion  to  carry  out  General  Burnside's  order  to  advance 
to  Cemetery  Hill,  and  they  think  that  more  energy  might  have  been  exer 
cised  by  Brigadier-General  Wilcox  to  cause  his  troops  to  go  forward  to 
that  point. 

Without  intending  to  convey  the  impression  that  there  was  any 
disinclination  on  the  part  of  the  commanders  of  the  supports  to  heartily 
co-operate  in  the  attack  on  the  30th  of  July,  the  Court  express  their 
opinion  that  explicit  orders  should  have  been  given,  assigning  one 
officer  to  the  command  of  all  the  troops  intended  to  engage  in  the 
assault  when  the  commanding  general  was  not  present  in  person  to 
witness  the  operations. 

After  reading  the  last  few  lines  one  would  naturally  ask  why 
the  "commanding  general  was  not  present  in  person  to  witness 


198  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

the  operations "  ?  This  is  a  question  beyond  our  province  and 
which  we  cannot  answer,  except  to  say  that  it  was  trusted  to 
another. 

In  the  paragraph  censuring  General  Ledlie  is  found  an  im 
plication  that  the  men  of  the  First  Division  misbehaved  and  could 
not  be  made  to  go  forward.  They  appear  to  have  been  held 
responsible  for  the  failure  of  their  commander  to  be  with  them, 
and  for  not  obeying  orders,  the  existence  of  which  they  were  in 
entire  ignorance.  It  has  been  previously  explained  that  the 
orders  were  not  communicated  to  the  men  of  the  division,  and 
they  did  not  know  what  was  expected  of  them  until  the  confusion 
became  too  great  and  the  opposition,  in  both  front  and  flank,  too 
strong  to  reasonably  hope  for  success.  This  was  confirmed  later 
by  those  who  were  present  at  the  time,  including  General 
Bartlett,  and  the  Confederate  commanders  themselves,  who  were 
not  given  to  saying  much  in  favor  of  Federal  troops.  It  was 
like  putting  a  company  or  regiment  on  drill  and  expecting  them 
to  go  through  all  the  evolutions  correctly  without  a  drill  master  or 
a  word  of  command. 

The  P'irst  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  being  unfortunate  in 
its  commander,  had  to  suffer  all  the  odium  which  justly  should 
have  fallen  upon  him ;  even  General  Grant  shared  in  this  feeling 
and  gives  expression  to  it  in  his  Memoirs.  In  speaking  of  the 
mine  affair  and  the  Ninth  Corps  on  page  313,  Vol.  2,  he  says  : 
"Burnside  seemed  to  have  paid  no  attention  whatever  to  the  in 
structions  and  left  all  the  obstructions  in  his  own  front  for  his 
troops  to  get  over  the  best  way  they  could.  The  four  divisions 
of  his  corps  were  commanded  by  Generals  Potter,  Wileox,  Ledlie 
and  Ferrero.  The  last  was  a  colored  division,  and  Buruside 
selected  it  to  make  the  assault;  Meade  interfered  with  this. 
Burnside  then  took  Ledlie's  division,  a  worse  selection  than  the 
first  could  have  been.  In  fact  Potter  and  Wileox  were  the  only 
division  commanders  Burnside  had  who  were  equal  to  the  occasion. 
Ledlie,  besides  being  inefficient,  proved  also  to  possess  disqualifi 
cations  less  common  among  soldiers." 

It  seems  singular  that  it  should  take  General  Grant  all  this 
time  to  find  out  what  had  already  been  known,  by  the  rank  and 


PETERSBURG   MINE.  199 

file  of  the  First  Division,  for  some  time.  The  affair  at  North 
Anna  river,  heretofore  mentioned,  fully  demonstrated  that,  yet 
soon  after  this  General  Ledlie  was  promoted  from  the  command 
of  a  brigade  to  that  of  a  division.  Were  the  men  to  protest  and 
decline  further  service  under  him?  Such  an  act  would  have  been 
mutiny.  They  continued,  like  good  soldiers,  in  the  performance 
of  their  duty.  It  was  not  the  fault  of  those  brave  men  who  went 
through  the  deadly  breach  into  the  crater  that  their  general,  and 
others,  were  in  a  secure  bomb-proof  far  in  rear,  and  it  was  not 
their  fault  that  the  heights  of  Cemetery  Hill  were  not  carried ;  al 
though  we  admit  that  they  could  have  been  if  those  whose  duty  it 
was  to  be  present  in  command  had  been  there  in  person  to  lead 
without  delay ;  but  after  this,  and  when  all  regimental  and 
brigade  organizations  were  broken  and  mixed,  it  was  just  as  im 
possible  to  accomplish  this  with  the  troops  in  the  crater  as  it 
would  have  been  to  roll  back  the  ocean's  tide  or  check  the  onward 
course  of  a  tornado.  The  charge  of  the  six  hundred  at  Balaklava 
did  not  lead  through  a  darker  valley  of  death.  Every  order  that 
was  received  by  the  Fifty-Seventh,  from  proper  authority,  was 
executed  as  far  as  human  strength  and  superior  bravery  could  do. 
We  have  only  to  point  to  the  gallant  efforts  of  such  men  as 
Prescott,  Dresser  and  Howe  of  the  Fifty- Seventh,  each  of  whom 
fell  in  a  vain  but  desperate  attempt  to  lead  the  charge  upon 
Cemetery  Hill,  and  fell  beyond  the  mouth  of  the  crater.  With 
three  officers  killed,  two  wounded  and  one  missing,  making  a 
total  battle  loss  of  six  out  of  seven  officers  belonging  to  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  can  anyone  discover  any  dishonor  worthy  of  reproach  or 
"misbehavior"  resting  upon  the  regiment  whose  history  we  are 
laboring  to  record  honestly  and  faithfully,  even  if  it  did  belong  to 
a  poorly  commanded  division? 

We  claim  that  a  greater  credit  is  due  them,  that  they  fought 
and  bled  and  died  in  obedience  to  duty  under  command  of  one  in 
whom  they  had  no  confidence.  Whatever  opinion  General  Grant 
may  have  had  of  the  commander  of  the  First  Division,  it  remains 
a  matter  which  will  stand  upon  the  pages  of  history,  that  from  the 
beginning  of  the  campaign  down  to  the  time  of  which  he 
was  writing,  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps  had  par- 


200  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

ticipated  in  every  engagement  of  the  campaign.  Its  blood  bad 
been  poured  out  as  freely  as  water  and  stained  every  battle 
field  from  the  Wilderness  to  Petersburg.  With  the  living  memory 
of  such  names  as  Stevenson  and  Gould  and  Chandler  and  Gird 
and  Southey  before  us,  we  feel  that  we  have  nothing  to  blush  for 
and  no  apologies  to  make.  Standing  with  such  regiments  as  the 
4th  and  10th  Regulars,  the  former  General  Grant's  own  regiment, 
the  21st,  35th,  56th  and  59th  Massachusetts,  we  cannot  feel 
ashamed  of  the  company  we  were  in.  With  the  record  of  thirty 
officers  and  three  hundred  and  eighty-five  enlisted  men  killed  and 
wounded  from  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  alone,  its  sur 
viving  members  are  willing  to  stand  upon  the  pages  of  history  and 
let  posterity  be  their  judge. 

A  greater  loss  cannot  be  shown  by  any  regiment  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  for  the  same  length  of  time.  Repeatedly  thrown 
against  embattled  walls  until  its  shattered  and  bleeding  ranks  had 
been  almost  annihilated,  it  still  stood  ready  to  perform  its  duty, 
when  that  duty  was  made  plain.  As  to  why  it  did  not  go 
forward  on  this  fatal  day  it  can  be  said  that  there  was  very  little 
of  it  left  to  go  forward.  It  had  been  steadily  and  bravely  going 
forward  and  onward  beyond  the  dark  river.  Call  the  roll  over 
unknown  graves,  call  it  from  battlefield,  hospital  and  prison  pen, 
and  the  answer  will  tell  how  it  went  forward.  Whatever  ignominy 
may  attach,  whatever  historians  may  write,  or  critics  say,  the  old 
Fifty-Seventh  will  ever  cherish  the  memory  of  the  crater  and  never 
fear  to  tell  the  story,  even  though  it  is  one  of  disaster  and  defeat. 

A  short  time  after  this  affair  General  Ledlie  resigned  and 
retired  to  the  peaceful  shades  of  private  life,  for  which  he  was 
specially  adapted.  It  is  not  surprising  that  General  Grant  should 
feel  a  deep  chagrin  over  the  miserable  failure  that  had  been  made. 
The  friends  of  General  Burnside  reasonably  claimed,  that  as  the 
Court  of  Inquiry  was  composed  of  officers  serving  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  under  General  Meade,  the  result  of  their  deliberations 
was  more  or  less  biased.  It  was  well  known  that  General  Meade 
had  not  from  the  first  much  confidence -in  the  enterprise  and  did 
not,  therefore,  enter  heartily  into  it.  The  Congressional  "Com 
mittee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,"  after  examining  carefully 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  '201 

into  all  the  facts  and  circumstances,  did  not  arrive  at  the  same 
conclusions  in  fixing  the  responsibility  as  did  the  Court  of  Inquiry. 
The  following  extracts  are  copied  from  the  committee's  report  as 
rendered  several  mouths  after  the  affair  and  published  in  Con 
gressional  records  :  — 

Your  committee  cannot,  from  all  the  testimony,  avoid  the  conclu 
sion  that  the  first  and  great  cause  of  the  disaster  was  the  change  made 
on  the  afternoon  preceding  the  attack,  in  the  arrangement  of  General 
Burnside  to  place  the  division  of  colored  troops  in  the  advance.  The 
reasons  assigned  by  General  Burnside  for  not  taking  one  of  his  divisions 
of  white  troops  for  that  purpose  are  fully  justified  by  the  result  of  the 
attack  ....  The  conduct  of  the  colored  troops  when  they  were  put  in 
action  would  seem  to  fully  justify  the  confidence  that  General  Burnside 
reposed  in  them,  and  General  Grant  himself,  in  his  testimony,  expresses 
his  belief  that  if  they  had  been  placed  in  the  advance  as  General  Burnside 
desired,  the  result  would  have  been  different  ....  It  will  be  seen  from 
the  testimony,  that  when  the  order  to  withdraw  was  given  by  General 
Meacle,  against  the  representations  made  by  General  Burnside.  orders 
were  also  given  by  General  Meade  for  offensive  operations  to  cease  on 
the  right  and  left  of  General  Burnside's  position,  and  General  Ord's 
troops  were  at  the  same  time  withdrawn  from  the  front,  where  they  had 
been  placed  in  support  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  The  enemy  were  thus  left 
entirely  free  to  make  such  dispositions  as  they  chose  against  the  force  of 
General  Burnside  within  their  lines  ....  Your  committee  desires  to 
say,  that  in  the  statement  of  facts  and  conclusions  which  they  present  in 
their  report,  they  wish  to  be  distinctly  understood  as  in  no  degree  cen 
suring  the  conduct  of  the  troops  engaged  in  this  assault.  While  they 
confidently  believe  that  the  selection  of  the  division  of  colored  troops  by 
General  Burnside  to  lead  the  assault  was,  under  the  circumstances,  the 
best  that  could  have  been  made,  they  do  not  intend  thereby  to  have  it 
inferred  that  the  white  troops  of  the  Ninth  Corps  are  behind  any  troops 
in  the  service  in  those  qualities  which  have  placed  our  volunteer  troops 
before  the  world  as  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  any  known  to  modern  war 
fare.  The  services  performed  by  the  Ninth  Corps  on  many  a  well-fought 
battlefield,  not  only  in  this  campaign,  but  in  others,  have  been  such  as 
to  prove  that  they  are  second  to  none  in  the  service.  Your  committee 
believe  that  any  other  troops  exposed  to  the  same  influences,  under  the 
same  circumstances,  and  for  the  same  length  of  time,  would  have  been 
similarly  affected.  No  one,  upon  careful  consideration  of  all  the  circum 
stances,  can  be  surprised  that  those  influences  should  have  produced  the 
effects  they  did  on  them. 

In  conclusion  your  committee  must  say  that,  in  their  opinion,  the 
cause  of  the  disastrous  assault  of  the  30th  of  July  last,  is  mainly  at- 


202  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

tribu table  to  the  fact  that  the  plans  and  suggestions  of  the  general  who 
had  devoted  his  attention  for  so  long  a  time  to  the  subject,  who  had 
carried  out  to  a  successful  completion  the  project  of  mining  the  enemy's 
works,  and  who  had  carefully  selected  and  drilled  his  troops  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  whatever  advantages  might  be  attainable  from  the 
explosion  of  the  mine,  should  have  been  so  entirely  disregarded  by  a 
general  who  had  evinced  no  faith  in  the  successful  prosecution  of 
that  work,  had  aided  it  by  no  countenance  or  open  approval  and  had 
assumed  the  entire  direction  and  control  only  when  it  was  completed  and 
the  time  had  come  for  reaping  any  advantages  that  might  be  derived 
from  it. 

This  report  was  made,  after  the  dust  had  settled  around  the 
crater,  by  a  body  of  congressmen  of  whom  Senator  Wade  of  Ohio 
was  chairman  ;  gentlemen  who  were  interested  only  in  the  welfare 
of  the  country  and  wholly  unbiased.  Their  report,  therefore, 
would  seem  to  have  greater  weight  than  that  of  the  Court  of 
Inquiry.  They  found  no  "misbehavior"  on  the  part  of  the 
troops  employed. 

Some  time  after  having  closed  the  chapter  on  the  crater,  we 
were  handed  a  paper  by  Col.  Thomas  W.  Clarke  of  Boston,  for 
merly  assistant  adjutant-general  of  one  of  the  brigades  engaged 
in  the  crater.  The  notes  from  which  Colonel  Clarke  prepared  his 
manuscript  were  made,  he  tells  us,  in  the  spring  of  1865  as  a 
basis  upon  which  Colonel  Marshall  made  his  application  for  a 
Court  of  Inquiry. 

Colonel  Clarke  was  certainly  in  a  position  to  know  what  the 
orders  were  from  the  division  commander.  The  great  point  which 
be  makes,  and  it  is  a  most  important  one,  is  that  General  Ledlie 
gave  positive  orders  that  the  First  Division  should  not  go  forward 
beyond  the  crater.  This  is  in  direct  contradiction  to  the  order  of 
General  Meade  to  General  Burnside ;  while  paragraph  two  of 
General  Burnside's  order  to  his  division  commanders  says  :  "  Gen 
eral  Ledlie  will,  immediately  upon  the  explosion  of  the  mine, 
move  his  division  forward  as  directed  by  verbal  orders  and  if 
possible,  crown  the  crest  at  the  point  known  as  Cemetery  Hill, 
occupying,  if  possible,  the  cemetery."  It  would  appear  that  this 
order  is  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood.  Colonel  Clarke's  detailed 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


203 


account  of   what  took  place  after  the  explosion  was  that  seen 
by  him. 

u  NOTES  ON  THE  TRAGEDY  OF  THE  CRATER. 

"The  writer  of  this  was  acting  assistant  adjutant-general 
for  Colonel,  afterwards  Bvt.  Brig. -Gen.  E.  G.  Marshall,  at  the 
assault  of  the  mine,  and  adds  the  following  statements  to  the 
accounts  given  of  this  affair.  These  statements  are  not  intended 
to  impugn  the  accuracy  of  observation  or  the  recollection  of  other 
writers,  but  to  supplement  them  by  the  observation  and  recollec 
tion  of  another.  No  two  men  observe  alike,  and  the  standpoint 
of  observation  often  affects  its  perspective. 

"  Colonel  Marshall  was  a  captain  in  the  regular  army,  and  was 
retired  soon  after  the  war.  He  died  some  years  since.  General 
McLaughlen,  another  regular  captain,  was  retired  as  major,  and 
died  in  January,  1887.  Colonel  Marshall  made  some  prepara 
tion  for  an  investigation  of  the  affair  of  the  mine  by  a  Court  of 
Inquiry  to  be  summoned  at  his  request,  but  probably  made  no 
formal  application  for  it,  having  somehow  ascertained  it  would 
not  be  granted.  He  was  never  satisfied  with  the  story  told  of 
this  affair.  It  is  a  part  of  the  supplement  which  he  would  have 
added,  which  his  adjutant  now  writes,  stating,  however,  hardly 
more  than  those  facts  which  are  within  his  own  personal  knowl 
edge. 

"  Colonel  Marshall  had  been  wounded  on  June  17th,  and  had 
reported  for  duty  late  in  July.  He  had  commanded  the  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  Ninth  Army  Corps,  only  a  few  days  before 
the  30th  of  July,  1864.  He  did  not  then  know  even  his  own  line 
well  and  had  worked  himself  and  his  staff  very  hard  and  danger 
ously  to  educate  himself  in  this  regard.  General  Bartlett  had 
also  recently  returned  to  his  brigade,  and  was  new  to  his  position, 
his  troops,  his  grade  and  his  responsibilities.  He  had  but  one 
leg  and  it  pained  him  to  ride  or  walk.  On  the  afternoon  of  July 
29th,  about  four  o'clock,  Marshall  went  to  division  headquarters, 
and  later,  a  little  before  dark,  summoned  his  adjutant-general  to 
report  to  him  at  or  near  the  fourteen-gun  battery,  afterwards 
known  as  Fort  Morton.  Ledlie,  Bartlett,  Marshall  and  some  staff 


204  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

officers  were  present.  A  plan  of  the  movement  was  explained  at 
that  interview  to  Bartlett  and  Marshall,  and  was  subsequently 
explained  by  Marshall  to  his  battalion  commanders  and  to  his 
staff.  From  this  place  Marshall,  his  adjutant-general  and  per 
haps  one  or  two  other  officers,  went  to  the  salient  selected  as  the 
place  of  formation,  and  hastily,  after  sundown,  examined  the 
ground.  The  adjutant-general  then  returned  to  brigade  head 
quarters  to  give  the  necessary  preparatory  orders,  and  to  summon 
the  battalion  commanders  to  brigade  headquarters.  Marshall 
returned  about  8  P.M.,  met  his  battalion  commanders,  communi 
cated  his  instructions,  and  about  eleven  o'clock  the  troops  were 
relieved  and  marched  to  the  salient  of  formation. 

"  The  plan  as  given  by  General  Ledlie  to  Bartlett  and  Mar 
shall,  and  as  given  by  Marshall  to  his  battalion  commanders,  was 
to  this  effect,  and  it  wras  on  this  plan  that  Marshall  and  Bartlett 
worked.  The  Second  Brigade  wras  to  be  formed  in  column  of 
battalion  front.  (It  made  three  lines  of  about  four  hundred  men 
each.)  On  the  explosion  of  the  mine  it  was  to  move  forward 
and  occupy  the  enemy's  works  on  the  right  of  the  crater,  skirting 
its  edge,  but  not  going  into  it.  The  First  Brigade  was  to  follow 
with  about  the  same  front  and  occupy  the  works  on  the  left  of 
the  crater,  not  going  into  it.  When  the  lodgment  had  been  made, 
it  was  to  be  secured  and  connected  with  our  lines  by  our  engineer 
regiment,  35th  Massachusetts.  The  Second  Division  was  then  to 
extend  this  lodgment  still  more  to  the  right,  the  Third  Division 
was  to  extend  it  to  the  left  in  the  enemy's  works  by  a  front 
attack,  and  the  colored  division  was  then  to  pass  through  the 
crater  and  assault  the  hill  in  the  rear.  Marshall's  distinct  in 
structions  were  that  the  security  of  the  lodgment  was  the  prime 
duty  of  the  First  Division  and  the  hill  was  a  subordinate  object ; 
and  General  Ledlie' s  instructions,  as  heard,  conveyed  no  other 
meaning  to  me,  or,  as  will  appear  later,  to  General  Bartlett  or 
Adjutant  Warren. 

"  The  drill  and  habits  of  the  First  Division,  accustomed  to 
line  attacks  and  not  to  regimental  column  manoeuvres,  were  not 
adapted  to  the  plan  of  formation  designed  for  the  colored  division, 
with  its  proposed  tactical  conversions  to  right  and  left  after  the 


PETERSBURG   MINE.  205 

works  were  reached,  but  the  ultimate  effect  of  the  manoeuvres  was 
to  be  the  same.  The  flanks  were  to  be  cleared  before  the  attack 
on  the  hill.  Marshall  was  explicit  that  his  brigade  was  to  confine 
its  attention  to  seizing  and  holding  as  great  a  length  of  line  on  the 
right  of  the  crater  as  possible,  and  that  the  work  beyond,  to  the 
enemy's  rear,  was  to  be  done  by  other  troops.  His  phrase  about 
it  was  this  :  '  When  we  have  secured  the  lodgment,  Ferrero  will 
take  the  negroes  through  the  crater,  which  we  shall  have  left  clear 
for  them,  and  see  what  they  can  do  beyond.'  Marshall's  brigade 
consisted  of  the  Provisional  2d  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery,  the 
3d  Maryland  Battalion,  a  small  veteran  organization  of  prime 
quality,  well  led,  the  179th  New  York  Battalion,  six  companies 
of  a  new  and  incomplete  regiment,  greatly  depleted  by  the 
campaign,  and  the  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery.  Marshall's 
arrangement  of  the  column  for  the  assault  assigned  the  Pennsyl 
vania  regiment  to  lead,  Marshall  himself  in  charge,  the  3d 
Maryland  and  179th  New  York  battalions  were  to  follow,  under 
command  of  Lieut. -Col.  G.  P.  Robinson  of  the  3d  Maryland,  an 
experienced  and  competent  soldier.  The  14th  New  York  Artillery 
formed  the  third  line.  This  regiment  was  new,  had  been  badly 
treated  in  the  campaign,  and  was  then  commanded  by  Captain 
Jones,  an  officer  of  fiery  zeal,  but  of  no  great  experience  at  that 
time.  Colonel  Marshall  detailed  his  adjutant-general  to  lead 
this  third  line.  The  first  line  of  Bartlett's  brigade,  consisting  of 
the  Fifty-Seventh  and  29th  Massachusetts,  led  by  Major  Prescott 
of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  was  deployed  in  line  in  rear  of  Marshall. 
The  rest  of  Bartlett's  brigade  stood  by  the  flank  in  a  covered  way 
in  rear  of  the  salient  of  formation.  It  consisted  of  the  21st, 
56th  and  59th  Massachusetts,  and  the  100th  Pennsylvania. 

"The  29th  Massachusetts  comprised  about  a  hundred  and 
twenty-five  muskets  in  the  hands  of  three-years  veterans.  The 
21st  was  somewhat  more  numerous,  and  its  personnel  had  served 
within  a  few  mouths  of  three  years.  The  56th,  57th  *  and 
59th  Massachusetts  had  from  200  to  300  men  each.  They 
were  new  regiments  composed  mainly  of  re-enlisted  nine  months' 
troops.  The  100th  Pennsylvania  had  about  500  men  present 
under  arms.  It  was  a  veteran  regiment  which  had  been  filled 


:The  Fifty-Seventh  had  only  91.—  J.A. 


206 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


while  on  furlough,  and  about  half  the  men  present  were  recruits. 
Bartlett  had  about  1800  men  under  arms.  These  figures  are  only 
proximate. 

"  The  troops  were  of  better  than  average  quality,  and  the 
battalion  and  company  commanders  had  almost  all  seen  a  year's 
service,  or  more,  in  the  field,  in  positions  of  officers  or  sergeants. 
The  order  in  which  these  troops  stood  in  the  covered  way  is  not 
known.  Colonel  Gould  commanded  the  59th;  Colonel  Weld  the 
56th;  Captain  Tripp  the  29th;  Colonel  Barnes  being  officer  of 
the  day;  Captain  Clarke  commanded  the  21st  a  part  of  the  day, 
perhaps  not  at  the  very  first.  The  commander  of  the  100th  is  not 
remembered.  It  had  suffered  frequent  losses  of  regimental  com 
manders  in  that  fatal  three  months'  campaign  before  the  mine 
affair. 

"  The  time  between  the  explosion  of  the  mine  and  Marshall's 
advance  was  not  taken.  It  may  be  estimated  from  a  contempo 
raneous  occurrence  as  follows  :  Colonel  Marshall  had  sent  for  the 
writer  from  his  place  with  the  third  line,  and  had  announced  that 
the  explosion  had  been  delayed  and  was  to  come  off  right  away. 
Marshall  was  leaning  with  his  left  arm  on  the  parapet  as  he  made 
this  communication.  The  writer  was  half  facing  him  with  his 
right  arm  on  the  parapet,  and  was  rising  to  turn  away  from 
Marshall  to  go  to  his  line,  when  there  was  a  tremor,  the  enemy's 
fort  rose  slowly,  then  more  rapidly  in  the  air.  There  flashed  out 
a  lily-shaped  fountain  of  dark  red  and  yellow  fire,  with  brown 
spots  and  streaks  in  it,  in  shape  like  an  old  ring  jet  of  water, 
called  the  "lily,"  in  the  Boston  Frog  Pond  fountain.  While  it 
was  in  the  air  the  adjutant-general  turned  half  back  and  said, 
'  Colonel,  was  anything  ever  so  beautiful  as  that?  '  Marshall's 
words  were  almost  simultaneously  spoken :  '  Gentlemen,  take 
command  of  your  lines.  2d  Pennsylvania,  rise  up.  Forward, 
March  !  By  the  right  flank  ;  march.  Over  the  parapet,  and  swing 
up  your  left.'  Similar  commands  were  given  to  the  second  line 
by  Colonel  Robinson,  after  Marshall's  line  had  moved.  The  third 
line  started  up  and  forward  before  the  second  had  cleared  the 
works.  It  was  checked  and  halted  a  moment  or  so  till  the  second 
had  cleared  the  works.  This  check,  caused  by  a  too  rapid  ad- 


PETERSBURG   MINE.  2U/ 

vance  of  the  third  line,  was  the  confusion  of  the  Second  Brigade, 
and  the  only  confusion  at  that  time. 

"  The  reason  for  moving  the  lines  successively  was  that  the 
place  of  formation  was  only  about  forty  yards  deep  and  the 
troops  lying  clown  in  two  ranks,  with  file  closers  in  their  places, 
left  only  very  narrow  intervals  between  the  lines,  so  the  succes 
sive  movement  was  ordered.  As  more  than  three-quarters  of 
Bartlett's  brigade  stood  undeployed  in  the  covered  way,  it  is  plainly 
seen  that  for  them  to  clear  the  covered  way,  form  line  and  advance, 
which  they  must  do  successively,  would  require  several  minutes, 
probably  ten,  before  the  rear  battalions  charged. 

"  Advancing  over  the  field  at  an  objective  at  about  thirty 
degrees  angle  with  our  line  of  formation  and  some  three  hundred 
yards  distant,  there  was  not  much  swinging  up  of  the  left,  and 
the  Second  Brigade  skirted  the  edge  of  the  crater  and  filed  into 
the  enemy's  works  on  the  right  by  the  flank.  Three  covered  ways 
led  out  on  that  side  from  the  pit  left  by  the  explosion.  One 
nearest  our  lines  was  the  main  line  of  works,  one  led  somewhat 
to  the  rear,  at  an  angle  of  about  twenty  degrees,  a  third  still  more 
to  the  rear,  but  not  at  over  fifty  degrees  angle  with  the  main  line. 
After  the  third  line  entered  the  works,  a  cannon,  whose  chase  was 
half  buried,  muzzle  down,  by  the  explosion,  and  which  had  its 
trail  laid  over  on  the  reinforce  of  the  piece,  fell,  completely  over 
turned.  In  the  edge  of  the  crater,  as  the  third  line  passed,  a  pair 
of  naked  legs,  belonging  to  a  man  who  was  buried  head  down  to 
the  waist,  were  seen  brandishing,  and  a  sergeant  of  the  14th  was 
ordered  to  dig  out  the  man  and  keep  him  for  examination  .... 

k' As  the  third  line  of  troops  went  around  the  outside  of  the 
crater,  Lieut.  Green  Smith,  one  of  Marshall's  aides,  said,  'The 
colonel  directs  you  to  occupy  the  centre  ditch.  He  has  gone  into 
this  one  (pointing  to  the  one  most  distant  from  our  lines)  and 
Colonel  Robinson  into  this '  (pointing  to  the  one  nearest  our 
lines).  The  covered  way  so  entered  by  the  14th  New  York 
Artillery  was  a  cul-de-sac  about  three  to  four  hundred  feet  long, 
and  was  closed  by  a  heavy  traverse.  The  14th  Artillery  went 
to  the  end  of  the  ditch,  manned  the  traverse  and  began  to  fire  on 
some  Confederate  troops  in  a  flanking  work  not  far  distant.  The 


208 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


writer  went  back  and  reported  to  Marshall  in  the  edge  of  the 
crater.  At  that  time  the  only  troops  in  the  crater  were  a  few 
men  engaged  in  digging  out  or  righting  a  brass  cannon,  the 
men  who  had  dug  out  the  Confederate  spoken  of,  Colonel 
Marshall  and  some  of  his  staff,  Colonel  Robinson  and  a  few 
Confederate  prisoners. 

"  Colonel  Robinson  had  made  his  report  from  his  position 
before  the  report  from  the  14th  New  York  Artillery  was  made. 
And  while  the  writer  was  making  that,  Bartlett  came  in  at  the 
head  of  his  brigade,  hopping  along  very  cheerily,  aiding  himself 
by  a  stout  malacca  cane  with  an  ivory  cross  handle.  The 
29th,  56th  and  57th  Massachusetts  were  directed  into  Robin- 
sou's  covered  way,  the  21st  Massachusetts  and  100th  Pennsyl 
vania  went  into  the  ditch  where  Marshall  had  led  the  2d 
Pennsylvania  Artillery,  and  part  of  the  100th  manned  the  edge 
of  the  crater  on  the  enemy's  side.  Where  the  59th  was  posted 
the  writer  does'  not  now  remember. 

'"  It  will  be  seen  that  under  the  instructions  given  for  Mar 
shall  to  occupy  the  works  on  the  right  of  the  mine,  and  for  Bartlett 
to  occupy  the  works  on  the  left  of  the  mine,  their  troops  had  gone 
into  the  same  works,  one  assuming  the  right  to  be  our  right,  and 
the  other  taking  the  left  for  the  enemy's  left.  It  will  also  be  seen 
that  only  the  line  consisting  of  the  Provisional  and  Pennsylvania 
Artillery,  the  21st  Massachusetts  and  100th  Pennsylvania  had  an 
open  field  before  them  to  move  over.  Robinson,  however,  moved 
on  in  the  main  line,  charging  around  several  traverses,  capturing 
many  prisoners  and  having  a  continual  skirmish  with  small  groups 
of  Confederates  across  the  traverses,  conducted  mostly  by  a  squad 
of  sharpshooters  of  his  command,  armed  with  Spencers,  and 
under  immediate  charge,  that  day,  of  Sergt.  Jack  Walters. 
Colonel  Robinson  and  other  officers  of  the  3d  Maryland,  Lieu 
tenant  Randall,  4th  U.S.  Infantry  and  other  officers,  were,  more 
than  once,  seen  leading  small  squads  in  charges  around  these 
traverses.  The  distance  to  the  right  of  the  crater,  reached  by 
Colonel  Robinson's  right,  was  estimated,  at  that  time,  at  over  three 
hundred  and  fifty  yards. 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


209 


"  In  August,  1879,  the  writer  of  this  revisited  the  scene.  He 
declared  that  he  recognized,  from  the  lay  of  the  land  and  the 
prospect,  a  position  reached  by  him  that  day ;  but  his  views  were 
disputed  by  his  hack  driver,  who  said  he  was  a  hundred  yards  too 
far  out,  but  who,  at  that  very  spot  and  time,  kicked  out  of  the 
ground  an  exploded  Spencer  shell,  an  ammunition  not  used  by 
Confederates  and  used  by  us  that  day.  The  point  at  which  this 
was  found  was  nearly  four  hundred  and  fifty  paces  to  the  right  of 
the  grove  which  marks  the  line  of  the  gallery  of  the  mine.  This 
Confederate  front  line  had  been  occupied  far  enough  along  to 
unmask  the  traverses  spoken  of  and  expose  the  hollow  flank  of  a 
somewhat  crooked,  covered  way  leading  from  Cemetery  Hill,  to 
be  hereafter  referred  to. 

;c  Before  the  advance  of  the  colored  troops,  no  Federal  soldiers 
were  on  the  right  of  Colonel  Robinson's  detachment,  but  there 
were  troops  of  the  Second  Division  on  his  left.  One  of  Robin 
son's  men  had  taken  all  the  tins  from  his  cartridge-box  and  filled 
it  with  loose  Spencer  ammunition.  A  shot  struck  it  and  ex 
ploded  enough  shells  to  tear  open  all  the  stitching  between  the 
outer  leathern  face  and  the  sides,  and  the  outside  hung  dangling 
down  from  the  waist  belt.  The  man's  answer  to  an  inquiry  what 
had  happened,  was,  'Ammunition  wagon  blowed  up.,  sir.'  No 
one  was  seriously  hurt  in  this  affair. 

' '  Within  a  very  few  minutes  after  the  works  had  been  occu 
pied  by  the  Second  Brigade,  and  after  Bartlett's  troops  had  come 
in,  Colonel  Marshall  declared  himself  satisfied  that  a  further 
advance  shouiu  be  mn/^  at  once,  and  sent  to  General  Ledlie  to 
ask  permission  to  carry  some  works  to  ilie  right  and  right  rear. 
One  of  his  messengers,  Lieut.  Green  Smith,  fell  sunstruck  before 
delivering  the  message. 

' '  While  examining  the  ground  in  front  of  the  position  of  the 
Provisional  2d  Pennsylvania  Artillery,  it  became  manifest  that 
there  was  a  covered  way  or  sunken  road  leading  from  the  hill 
down  towards  the  fort,  which  was  manned  pretty  heavily  by  Con 
federates,  and  from  which  a  formidable  flank  fire  was  plied  upon 
our  troops,  and  rendered  an  advance  up  the  hill  worse  than 
dangerous.  To  eliminate  this  seemed  the  first  condition  of  further 


14 


210  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

success,  and  Marshall  and  Bartlett  ordered  their  brigades  to  be 
got  ready  to  attack  this  covered  way  obliquely.  Colonel  Robinson, 
who  had  some  clear  ground  before  him,  was  to  move  out  and  for 
ward,  supported  by  the  56th,  57th  and  29th  of  Bartlett's  brigade, 
who  were  to  form  Robinson's  second  line  by  moving  to  the  right, 
along  the  Confederate  front  line,  and  to  keep  down  the  flank  and 
rear  lire.  The  Provisional  2d  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery,  the 
21st  Massachusetts  and  the  100th  Pennsylvania  were  to  swing  up 
their  left  and  align  with  Robinson,  and  the  14th  New  York  Artillery 
was  to  file  over  the  traverse  at  the  end  of  the  covered  way,  and 
form  the  second  line  for  this  detachment.  These  four  combined 
movements  were  attempted,  with  the  result  of  developing  a  heavy 
flank  fire  from  a  covered  way  leading  from  the  hill  down  toward 
the  destroyed  fort.  The  color  bearer  of  the  21st  Massachusetts, 
and  Captain  Clark,  its  commander,  were  killed  or  fatally  wounded 
in  the  attempt.  The  two  Pennsylvania  regiments  lost  heavily  in 
officers  and  men,  and  Colonel  Robinson's  command  and  the  14th 
Artillery  were  badly  handled  by  a  flank  and  rear  fire. 

"It  was  during  this  movement  that  some  troops  of  the 
Second  and  Third  Divisions  appeared  in  the  works  on  the  right  of 
the  crater,  and  after  this  movement  our  troops  seemed  to  have 
occupied  the  works  on  the  left  of  the  crater,  and  to  have  filled 
the  crater  itself.  The  sun  had  risen  shortly  before  this  attempted 
advance.  After  a  short  discussion  between  Marshall  and  Bartlett 
as  to  whether  such  an  attack  was  within  their  orders,  Marshall 
maintaining  that  it  was,  because,  though  on  the  right  and  front  of 
the  position  he  was  ordered  to,  there  had  no  one  come  in  on  his 
right  to  do  the  work,  and  no  one  could  move  forward  till  this 
covered  way  was  occupied  ;  and  Bartlett  saying  that  anything 
which  would  permit  the  negroes  to  assault  the  hill  was  within  the 
orders,  a  new  advance  was  resolved  on,  in  the  same  formation 
and  tac.tics,  and  the  regimental  commanders  were  sent  for  and 
received  instructions. 

"After  an  interval,  just  before  the  colored  troops  appeared, 
the  staff  officers,  sent  to  see  if  all  was  ready,  reported  back,  and 
were  about  to  set  off  again  for  the  heads  of  columns  when 
Marshall  said  :  '  Here  is  Ferrero.  Hadn't  we  better  hold  on  to 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


211 


what  we  have  got,  till  we  see  what  the  Egyptians  can  do  for  us  ?' 
Bartlett  assented,  and  Marshall  said  :  '  Gentlemen,  we  will  sus 
pend  our  movement.'  The  colored  troops  moved  no  further  to 
the  right  than  to  Robinson's  position,  and  from  there  attempted 
their  several  advances. 

"  After  the  first  repulse  Colonel  Robinson,  Lieutenant  Randall 
and  the  writer  made  their  way  back  to  Marshall  to  report  that  the 
colored  troops  should  be  urged,  with  authority,  to  attack  further  to 
the  right,  and  in  returning  together  were  encountered  by  an  irre 
sistible  mass  of  retreating  men  and  swept  back  into  the  field  half 
way  to  our  works.  Marshall  then  directed  those  of  his  command, 
who  were  near  him,  to  fall  back  to  our  lines  and  re-form. 

"At  this  time  the  larger  part  of  the  survivors  of  Marshall's 
and  Bartlett' s  brigades  fell  back  to  the  lines.  Marshall  put 
Colonel  Robinson  in  command,  and  directed  that,  as  soon  as  the 
men  were  again  in  order,  a  report  should  be  sent  to  General  Ledlie, 
and  that  they  should  be  advanced  against  the  Confederate  works  on 
the  right  of  our  former  position,  and  meantim»that  a  fire  should  be 
kept  up  towards  our  right.  He  then  returned  to  the  crater  to 
'  assist  General  Bartlett.'  Colonel  Robinson  sent  a  report  to 
Ledlie,  by  Lieutenant  Randall,  that  there  were  four  hundred  and 
fifty  men  of  the  Second  Brigade  formed  and  ready  to  go  forward, 
and  that  he  proposed  to  attack  to  the  right  of  the  old  position,  and 
to  secure  that  flank  from  which  all  the  trouble  had  come.  A 
similar  report  is  believed  to  have  been  sent  concerning  the  rallied 
men  of  the  First  Brigade,  by  Colonel  Barnes,  who  had  shortly 
before  brought  up  the  outgoing  pickets,  and  had  held  them  to 
gether  just  outside  of  the  enemy's  works.  Randall  brought  back 
the  message  that  we  were  not  to  advance,  but  the  troops  in  the 
mine  were  to  be  withdrawn. 

"While  these  events  were  taking  place  in  and  around  the 
mine,  the  35th  Massachusetts,  the  First  Division  engineering  regi 
ment,  had  been  vigorously  at  work  running  a  flying  sap  from  a 
point  to  the  right  of  the  gallery  of  the  mine  towards  a  point  some 
what  to  the  right  of  the  crater,  and  had,  at  the  time  of  the  repulse, 
made  considerable  progress.  This  work  became  untenable  after 
the  loss  of  Robinson's  position,  and  was  abandoned  shortly  after. 


212 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


"  It  was  the  salient  fact  above  set  forth  that  Marshall  never 
suspected,  nor  had  reason  to  suspect,  that  General  Meade  intended 
an  assault  to  be  made  on  Cemetery  Hill  before  the  right  flank  of 
the  attacking  column  had  been  secured  and  protected,  together 
with  the  other  fact  that  any  such  attempt,  without  securing  and 
protecting  the  right  flank,  would  have  been  the  wildest  of  desper 
ation,  which  he  was  desirous  to  bring  out  in  his  proposed  Court  of 
Inquiry.  He  also  thought  he  could  obtain  a  professional  approval 
of  his  measures  to  these  ends. 

kt  As  to  the  imputation  of  a  dilatory  advance,  he  never  thought 
that  anybody  who  knew  him  would  give  it  the  slightest  credence. 

"The  story  of  confusion  of  the  column  could  readily  arise 
when  troops  used  to  lines  formed  at  fifty  yards  interval  or  more, 
saw  directly  in  front  of  them,  at  an  interval  of  four  or  five  yards 
only,  the  preceding  lines ;  but  a  confusion  of  troops,  in  fact,  was 
impossible,  if  troops  formed  with  intervals  of  only  about  twenty 
feet  when  standing  up,  and  then  laid  down  in  line,  could  be,  as 
Marshall's  brigade  was,  moved  out  without  mixing  organizations, 
and  nobody  has  ever  charged  this.  If  there  had  been  any  recoil 
the  men  in  the  rear  lines  would  have  been  trampled  on.  This 
has  never  been  asserted.  Marshall's  line  moving  at  double  quick 
by  the  flank,  and  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  long,  was  fol 
lowed  at  an  interval  of  not  over  twenty  yards  by  Robinson's  of 
about  the  same  length,  and  the  right  of  the  14th  New  York  Artil 
lery  was  not  over  twenty-five  yards  from  the  left  of  Robinson. 
The  right  of  Marshall's  line  had  entered  the  enemy's  works  before 
the  left  of  the  14th  New  York  Artillery  had  cleared  ours,  and  the 
right  of  Marshall's  moved  as  soon  after  the  explosion  as  the 
deliberate  and  formal  words  necessary  to  advance  the  command 
could  be  spoken  in  a  military  manner." 

Another  gentleman,  who  was  an  officer  of  high  rank  in  the 
Ninth  Corps,  who  commanded  the  29th  Massachusetts  in  this 
engagement  and  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  First  Brigade, 
First  Division,  after  the  capture  of  General  Bartlett,  and  who  was 
in  a  position  to  know  what  orders  were  issued  for  the  movement 
of  brigades,  confirms  what  Colonel  Clarke  has  said  in  regard  to 
the  orders  of  General  Ledlie,  that  the  First  Division  was  not  to 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


213 


advance  beyond  the  crater.  We  quote  his  language  upon  the 
subject  in  a  recent  letter  received  from  him  :  — 

•'Henry  Coppee,  A.M.,  in  his  work  entitled  '  General  Grant 
and  his  Campaigns,'  writing  of  'The  Mine  at  Petersburg,'  gives 
a  detailed  account  of  the  mining  operations,  and  after  describ 
ing  the  immediate  effects  of  the  explosion,  says  that  Ledlie's 
division,  which  had  been  selected  by  lot  to  lead  the  assault,  was 
'  to  charge  through  the  crater  and  seize  the  rebel  works  on  Ceme 
tery  Hill,'  but  that  '  instead  of  complying  with  the  order  it  halts 
in  the  crater.'  These  are  plain  statements,  easily  understood, 
and  if  true,  reflect  great  discredit  upon  Ledlie's  division.  They 
are,  however,  untrue.  Ledlie's  division  had  no  such  orders.  It 
was  not  a  part  of  the  plan  of  battle  for  that  division  to  advance 
after  reaching  the  crater.  The  orders  issued  to  the  division  were 
distinctly  not  to  adrance.  This  is  an  important  matter  in  connec 
tion  with  the  military  history  of  those  composing  that  division, 
both  officers  and  men,  and  Coppee  has  done  them  an  injustice  in 
throwing  nearly  the  whole  odium  of  failure  on  them,  by  stating 
that  they  failed  to  obey  orders  and  carry  out  the  original  plan, 
while  the  fact  is  that  whatever  was  done,  or  not  done,  by  other 
commands,  this  division  executed  its  orders  to  the  letter,  that  it 
led  the  assault  and  occupied  the  crater,  and  is  entitled  not  to 
censure,  but  to  praise. 

'b  Gen.  Wm.  F.  Bartlett  commanded  one  of  the  two  brigades 
composing  Ledlie's  division.  His  brigade  consisted  of  seven 
regiments.  On  the  afternoon  of  July  29th  the  seven  regimental 
commanders  assembled  at  brigade  headquarters,  by  direction  of 
the  General,  and  were  there  informed  by  him  that  the  mine  was  to 
be  fired  the  next  morning ;  that  Ledlie's  division  had  been  se 
lected  by  lot  to  lead  the  assault ;  that  the  division  was  to  move 
forward  immediately  after  the  explosion  and  occupy  the  enemy's 
front  line  of  works ;  that  the  division  would  be  followed  by  a 
division  of  the  same  corps,  also  selected  by  lot,  which  would 
move  beyond,  '  over  the  heads  '  of  Ledlie's  division,  to  be  fol 
lowed  by  the  two  remaining  divisions  of  the  corps.  Very  little 
was  said  at  this  meeting  of  regimental  commanders  with  regard 
to  minor  details.  All  present  saw  exactly  what  was  to  be  done. 


214 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


There  was  no  misunderstanding.  Ledlie's  division  was  to  cap- 
tare  the  front  line.  That  was  to  be  their  part  in  the  battle.  It 
was  plain,  and  moreover,  it  was  reasonable  and  right.  To  expect 
them  to  immediately  charge  another  line  would  have  been  unrea 
sonable.  It  was  fair  to  presume,  and  it  was  presumed,  that  the 
division  which  led  the  assault  would  be  roughly  handled  by  the 
enemy,  and  that  if  they  succeeded  in  obeying  their  orders,  and  did 
secure  and  hold  the  front  line,  it  wrould  be  done  with  considerable 
loss ;  that  the  division  would  be  badly  cut  up  and  exhausted 
and  would  not  be  in  condition  for  further  immediate  aggressive 
action.  However  that  may  be,  they  were  not  to  advance.  Their 
orders  left  them  there,  in  a  position  which  they  would  strengthen 
by  re-forming  their  line,  and  be  in  readiness  to  co-operate  with 
those  who  were  to  move  beyond. 

"  Of  the  eight  officers  present  at  the  meeting  at  brigade  head 
quarters  above  referred  to,  only  one  remained  with  the  brigade 
after  the  final  repulse  by  the  enemy.  General  Bartlett  was  cap 
tured,  and  all  commanders  of  regiments  and  all  field  officers  in 
the  brigade,  except  one,  were  either  killed,  wounded  or  captured. 
Three  regimental  commanders  were  killed  or  died  of  wounds,  and 
only  two  survived  the  war. 

"  Another  historian  has  said,  in  effect,  that  the  assault  failed 
because  it  was  led  by  the  poorest  division  in  the  army.  This 
writer  probably  also  thought  that  the  division  should  have  moved 
forward  on  Cemetery  Hill,  and  that  it  failed  to  execute  its  orders. 
He  could  not  have  been  familiar  with  the  record  of  the  brave  men 
composing  the  division. 

"  Let  us  look  at  this  division  so  unjustly  condemned.  It  con 
sisted  of  two  brigades.  The  brigade  commanded  by  General 
Bartlett  of  Massachusetts,  whose  reputation  is  well  known,  was 
composed  of  the  following  Massachusetts  regiments,  viz.  :  21st, 
29th,  35th,  56th,  57th  and  59th,  also  the  100th  Pennsyl 
vania.  The  21st  was  an  old  regiment,  fought  in  Burnside's 
earliest  campaign  in  North  Carolina,  and  had  followed  the 
General's  fortunes  from  the  first.  The  29th  contained  the  oldest 
three  years'  companies  from  New  England,  the  oldest  perhaps  in 
the  country.  They  were  at  the  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  had  served 


PETERSBURG   MINE. 


215 


six  months  in  the  Irish  Brigade  under  McClellan,  was  one  of  the 
only  two  regiments  in  the  whole  army  present  at  both  the  sieges 
of  Richmond  and  Vicksburg.  The  35th  fought  its  first  battle  at 
South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  where  it  lost  heavily,  and  had 
served  constantly  in  the  Ninth  Corps  since  that  time.  The 
56th,  57th  and  59th  were  Veteran  Regiments,  raised  as  such 
in  the  winter  of  1864,  under  the  personal  supervision  and  care 
of  Governor  Andrew,  and  were  officered  by  veterans.  The  writer 
is  not  familiar  with  the  early  history  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania, 
but  can  say  that  it  was  an  old  regiment,  and  one  of  the  very 
best  fighting  regiments  in  the  army.  The  records  of  these  regi 
ments  will  more  than  sustain  these  statements.  The  other  brigade 
of  the  division  was  composed  of  a  less  number  of  regiments,  with 
whose  history  the  writer  is  not  entirely  familiar,  but  knows  of 
no  reason  why  it  should  not  compare  favorably  with  the  best ; 
one  at  least,  the  3d  Maryland,  was  an  old  regiment  and  a 
good  one." 

This  authority  is  beyond  question.  The  statements  made  by 
these  two  officers  are  based  upon  personal  knowledge,  and  not 
hearsay,  and  therefore  entitled  to  consideration.  Yet  we  follow 
with  another  authority  upon  the  same,  that  of  Lieut. -Col.  ^V.  II. 
Powell  of  the  llth  U.S.  Infantry,  who,  at  that  time,  was  an  officer 
on  General  Ledlie's  staff.  I  quote  extracts  from  an  article 
published  by  him  in  the  fourth  volume  of  "  Battles  and  Leaders 
of  the  Civil  War  "  : 

"  After  falling  back  into  the  crater  a  partial  formation  was 
made  by  General  Bartlett  and  Colonel  Marshall  with  some  of  their 
troops,  but  owing  to  the  precipitous  walls  the  men  could  find  no 
footing  except  by  facing  inward,  digging  their  heels  into  the 
earth,  and  throwing  their  backs  against  the  side  of  the  crater,  or 
squatting  in  a  half  sitting,  half  standing  posture,  and  some  of 
the  men  were  shot  even  there  by  the  fire  from  the  enemy  in  the 
traverses. 

"  It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Colonel  Marshall  requested  me 
to  go  to  General  Ledlie  and  explain  the  condition  of  affairs,  which 
he  knew  that  I  had  seen  and  knew  perfectly  well.  This  I  did 
immediately Passing  to  the  Union  lines  under  this  storm 


216  KITTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

of  canister,  I  found  General  Lecllie  and  a  part  of  his  staff 
ensconced  in  a  protected  angle  of  the  works.  I  gave  him  Colonel 
Marshall's  message,  explained  to  him  the  situation,  and  Colonel 
Marshall's  reasons  for  not  moving  forward.  General  Ledlie  then 
directed  me  to  return  at  once  and  say  to  Colonel  Marshall  and 
General  Bartlett  that  it  was  General  Burnside's  order  that  they 
should  move  forward  immediately.  This  message  was  delivered  ; 
but  the  firing  on  the  crater  now  was  incessant  and  it  was  as  heavy 
a  fire  of  canister  as  was  ever  poured  continuously  upon  a  single 
objective  point. 

"  It  was  as  utterly  impracticable  to  re-form  a  brigade  in  that 
crater  as  it  would  be  to  marshal  bees  into  line  after  upsetting  the 
hive,  and  equally  as  impracticable  to  re-form  outside  of  the  crater, 
under  the  severe  fire  in  front  and  rear,  as  it  would  be  to  hold 
dress  parade  in  front  of  a  charging  enemy.  Here,  then,  was  the 
second  point  of  advantage  lost,  by  the  fact  that  there  was  no 
person  present  to  change  the  programme  to  meet  the  circum 
stances. 

"  Had  a  prompt  attack  of  the  troops  to  the  right  and  left  of 
the  crater  been  made  as  soon  as  the  leading  brigade  had  passed 
into  tjie  crater,  or  even  fifteen  minutes  afterward,  clearing  the 
trenches  and  diverting  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  success  would  have 
been  inevitable,  and  particularly  would  this  have  been  the  case  on 
the  left  of  the  crater,  as  the  small  fort  immediately  in  front  of 
the  Fifth  Corps  was  almost,  if  not  entirely,  abandoned  for  a  while 
after  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  the  men  running  away  from  it  as 
if  they  feared  that  it  was  to  be  blown  up  also. 

''Whether  General  Ledlie  informed  General  Burnside  of  the 
condition  of  affairs  as  reported  by  me,  I  do  not  know ;  but  I 
think  it  likely,  as  it  was  not  long  after  I  had  returned  to  the 
crater  that  a  brigade  of  the  Second  Division  (Potter's)  under  the 
command  of  Brig-Gen.  S.  G.  Griffin,  advanced  its  skirmishers  and 
followed  them  immediately,  directing  its  course  to  the  right  of  the 
crater.  General  Griffin's  line,  however,  overlapped  the  crater  on 
the  left,  where  two  or  three  of  his  regiments  sought  shelter  in  the 
crater.  Those  on  the  right  passed  over  the  trenches,  but  owing  to 
the  peculiar  character  of  the  enemy's  works,  which  were  not  single, 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  217 

but  complex,  and  involuted  and  filled  with  pits,  traverses  and 
bomb-proofs,  forming  a  labyrinth  as  difficult  of  passage  as  the 
crater  itself,  the  brigade  was  broken  up,  and  meeting  the  severe 
fire  of  canister,  also  fell  back  into  the  crater,  which  was  then  full 
to  suffocation.  Every  organization  melted  away  as  soon  as  it 
entered  this  hole  in  the  ground,  into  a  mass  of  human  beings 
clinging  by  toes  and  heels  to  the  almost  perpendicular  sides.  If 
a  man  was  shot  on  the  crest  he  fell  and  rolled  to  the  bottom  of 

the  pit Orders  were,  however,  being  constantly  sent  to 

the  three  division  commanders  of  the  white  troops  to  push  the 
men  forward  as  fast  as  could  be  done,  and  this  was,  in  substance, 
about  all  the  orders  that  were  received  by  them  during  the  day 
up  to  the  time  of  the  order  for  the  withdrawal. 

"When  General  Wilcox  came  with  the  Third  Division  to 
support  the  First,  he  found  the  latter  and  three  regiments  of  his 
own,  together  with  the  regiments  of  Potter's  Second  Division, 
which  had  gone  in  on  the  right,  so  completely  filling  up  the  crater 
that  no  more  troops  could  be  got  in  there,  and  he  therefore  ordered 
an  attack  with  the  remainder  of  his  division  on  the  works  of  the 
enemy  to  the  left  of  the  crater.  This  attack  was  successful,  so 
far  as  to  carry  the  intrenchmeuts  for  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards ;  but  they  were  held  only  for  a  short  time.  Previous  to  this 
last  movement,  I  had  again  left  the  crater  and  gone  to  General 
Ledlie,  and  had  urged  him  to  try  to  have  something  done  on  the 
right  and  left  of  the  crater,  saying  that  every  man  who  got  into 
the  trenches  to  the  right  or  left  of  it  used  them  as  a  means  of 
escape  to  the  crater,  and  the  enemy  was  re-occupying  them  as 
fast  as  our  men  left.  All  the  satisfaction  I  received  was  an  order 
to  go  back  and  tell  the  brigade  commanders  to  get  their  men 
out  and  press  forward  to  Cemetery  Hill.  This  talk  and  these 
orders  coming  from  a  commander  sitting  in  a  bomb-proof  inside 
the  Union  lines,  was  disgusting.  I  returned  again  to  the  crater 
and  delivered  the  orders,  which  I  knew  beforehand  could  not 
possibly  be  obeyed  ;  and  I  told  General  Ledlie  so  before  I  left 
him.  Upon  my  return  to  the  crater  I  devoted  my  attention  to 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  who  was  evidently  making  dis 
positions  for  an  assault. 


218  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

"About  two  hours  after  the  explosion  of  the  mine  (seven 
o'clock),  and  after  I  had  returned  to  the  crater  for  the  third  time, 
Gen.  Edward  Ferrero,  commanding  the  colored  division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps,  received  an  order  to  advance  his  division,  '  pass  the 
white  troops  which  had  halted,  and  move  on  to  carry  the  crest  of 
Cemetery  Hill  at  all  hazards.' ' 

It  can  readily  be  seen  that  where  those  in  high  authority  and 
supposed  to  know,  differ  so  widely  as  to  what  the  orders  really 
were,  or  their  understanding  of  them,  those  who  were  in  the  ranks 
could  not  be  supposed  to  interpret  or  understand  them,  and  could 
not  execute  conflicting  orders.  In  such  a  case  and  under  such 
conditions,  confusion  is  the  inevitable  result.  Where  the  respon 
sibility  rests  for  this  serious  misunderstanding  we  are  unable 
to  say.  Descriptions  given  by  different  writers  and  from  different 
standpoints  cannot  all  be  alike,  as  all  could  not  see  the  same. 
We  have  written  the  details  as  we  saw  them  with  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts  and  will  let  the  writing  stand  as  our  story. 

The  description  given  of  the  movements  of  brigades  and 
divisions  has  been  compiled  from  copies  of  orders  and  reports  and 
the  careful  study  of  authentic  history.  For  one  man  to  see  all 
that  was  done  by  all  the  brigades  and  divisions  that  day  would  be 
impossible. 

We  will  not  undertake  the  task  of  saying  what  orders  were 
actually  issued  further  than  we  have  done  already.  The  reader 
will  find  no  difficulty  in  arriving  at  the  conclusion,  from  the  copies 
of  orders  we  have  quoted,  that  it  was  in  the  final  plan,  as  adopted 
by  Generals  Meade  and  Burnside,  that  the  First  Division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps  was  to  advance  directly  through  the  crater  to  the 
heights  of  Cemetery  Hill  beyond. 

The  valiant  general  commanding  the  First  Division  was 
charged  with  the  execution  of  this  plan,  but  became  tangled  in 
a  greater  confusion  than  the  troops  he  commanded,  in  a  safe 
bomb-proof  in  rear  of  our  lines,  where  he  was  heroically  struggling 
with  some  invisible  enemy,  who  was  evidently  as  difficult  to 
manage  as  it  would  have  been  to  marshal  Colonel  Powell's  bees 
into  line  after  he  had  upset  the  hive.  If  his  troops  were  "  without 


PETERSBURG   MINE.  219 

a  responsible  head,"  he  could  truthfully  say  that  he  was  in  the 
same  unfortunate  situation. 

After  receiving  the  letters  heretofore  quoted,  we  wrote  to 
Gen.  J.  H.  Barnes,  stating  the  matter  to  him  and  asking  his 
opinion  as  to  the  apparent  confliction  of  orders.  General  Barnes 
was  at  the  time  lieutenant-colonel  and  commanded  the  29th 
Massachusetts  in  this  engagement,  and  was  one  of  the  two  field 
officers  of  the  First  Brigade  who  came  out  of  the  crater.  His 
statement  is  very  clear  and  concise  and  seems  to  confirm  the 
explanation  that  we  have  given,  viz.:  "-That  the  confusion 
of  orders  originated  in  the  confused  condition  of  the  division 
commanders."  One  thing  appears  evident;  that  is,  that  the 
officers  and  men  who  went  into  the  crater  with  the  First  Division 
did  not  receive  orders  to  move  beyond  and  seize  the  crest  known 
as  Cemetery  Hill  until  it  was  too  late  to  execute  them.  This  was 
confirmed  by  General  Bartlett,  as  will  appear  in  a  letter  which 
we  append  from  W.  H.  Osboriie,  the  able  historian  of  the  29th 
Massachusetts. 

This  appears  to  be  the  truth  of  history,  as  it  has  not  appeared 
before  and  clears  the  men  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps 
from  the  odium  that  has  been  passed  upon  them  by  such  writers 
as  Swintou,  who  never  took  the  trouble  to  carefully  stud}7  the 
subject  from  behind  the  scenes,  a  self-constituted  critic  of 
matters  which  he  did  not  understand  and  apparently  took  no 
pains  to  obtain  correct  and  reliable  information. 

We  quote  General  Barnes  and  W.  H.  Osborne  as  follows :  — 

EAST  BOSTON,  Feb.  7th,  1895. 
Capt.  Jonx  ANDERSON, 

U.S.  Army. 

3Iy  Dear  Captain :  I  am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  January  30th,  and 
note  your  reference  to  the  orders  of  General  Meacle  and  General  Burnside, 
which  indicate  that  it  was  the  intention  that  the  First  Division  should 
continue  to  advance  after  reaching  the  crater.  Sncli  being-  the  case,  an 
error  was  somewhere  made  in  transmitting  the  order.  My  statements 
as  to  the  orders  received  from  the  brigade  commander  on  the  afternoon 
preceding  the  battle  stand  for  what  they  are  worth.  I  cannot  undertake 
to  explain  the  matter,  and  prefer  not  to  hazard  any  conjecture  or  criti 
cism.  You  inform  me  that  Colonel  Clarke  confirms  my  statement  by 
saying  that  brigade  commanders  received  orders  "not  to  move  beyond 


220 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


the  crater."  This  is  certainly  strong  confirmation.  Observe  that  I 
stated  that  regimental  commanders  received  such  orders.  Clarke,  if  I 
understood  you  correctly,  goes  further  and  says  that  brigade  commanders 
received  the  orders.  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  Clarke  was  at  the  time 
adjutant-general  on  the  start'  of  Colonel  Marshall,  commanding  the 
Second  Brigade.  If  so,  this  testimony  is  invaluable.  Plainly,  an  error 
was  made  somewhere.  I  do  not  question  that  an  attempt  was  made  to 
advance  the  division  some  time  after  it  reached  (he  Grater,  when  the  con 
dition  of  affairs  was  badly  mixed.  If  I  am  correct  in  saying  that  regi 
mental  commanders  had  understood  that  they  were  not  to  advance,  it  was 
a  difficult  matter  to  altei  things  in  the  confusion  that  existed  in  the 
crater. 

Now,  regarding  Colonel  Powell's  statement  and  General  Ledlie's 
order  to  advance,  communicated  through  Powell,  it  is  my  impression, 
in  which  I  may  be  wrong,  that  Powell  went  back  and  reported  the  con 
dition  of  affairs,  and  was  then  directed  to  advance  the  division,  this 
being  the  first  time  that  the  division  had  been  ordered  to  advance.  If  I 
am  right,  Powell  didn't  report  that  his  division  would  not  or  could  not 
advance,  leading  to  the  inference  that  it  had  been  previously  ordered  to 
do  so.  He  went  back  to  explain  the  situation  and  stated  the  impossi 
bility  of  any  advance,  and  this  was  after  troops,  other  than  our 
division,  occupied  the  crater.  Then  he  received  the  order  to  advance 
our  division  Look  carefully  at  the  order  which  you  quote  as  given  to 
Powell,  and  see  if  there  is  not  some  indication  in  it  that  the  division  had 
not  previously  received  orders  to  advance.  If  Powell  meant  to  refer  to 
his  division  solely,  then,  of  course,  I  am  wrong  as  far  as  the  Powell  inci 
dent  is  concerned.  The  historian  of  my  regiment,  the  29th,  says  (p.  31G)  : 
"  The  other  divisions,  with  the  exception  of  the  Fourth,  followed,  but 
they  did  not  advance  beyond  the  lines  of  the  First  Division.  Remaining 
in  the  crater,  they  added  to  the  confusion,  and  finally  rendered  any 
movement  impossible." 

Since  you  wrrote  me  I  have  obtained  from  the  historian  of  the  29th 
Massachusetts  Regiment  a  paper  of  great  value  in  connection  with  the 
matter  at  issue,  which  I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  herewith.  By 
referring  to  pages  315  and  316  of  the  29th's  history,  you  will  at  once 
perceive  from  the  enclosed  document  that  General  Bartlett  fully  con 
firms  my  statement  that  we  were  4tnotto  advance"  after  reaching  the 
crater  .... 

BOSTON,  Feb.  2,  1S95. 
Gen.  JOSEPH  H.  BARNES. 

Dear  Sir :  The  statement  of  a  field  officer  of  General  Ledlie's 
Division,  Ninth  Corps,  referred  to  on  page  315  of  the  history  of  the  29th 
Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  quoted  entire  on  pages  315 


PETERSBURG   MINE.  221 

and  310  of  that  work,  was  referred  to  Gen.  William  F.  Bartlett,  who 
commanded  the  first  brigade  of  that  division  at  the  time  of  the  battle, 
for  his  inspection,  and  opinion  touching  its  accuracy.  After  retaining 
the  manuscript  for  several  weeks,  he  returned  it  to  me,  with  a  letter,  in 
which  he  stated  that  he  concurred  in  all  the  material  statements  con 
tained  in  it.  especially  as  to  the  plan  of  the  movement  and  the  orders 
given  to  the  various  brigade  commanders. 

I  am  yours  respectfully, 

W.  II.  OSBORNE, 
Historian  of  the  29th  Mass.  Regt. 

We  have  entered  more  fully  into  the  details  of  this  engage 
ment  than  we  otherwise  would,  for  the  reason  that  so  much  odium 
for  the  unfortunate  failure  has  been  cast  upon  the  gallant  men  of 
the  First  Division,  by  which  great  injustice  has  been  done  them. 
It  is  our  purpose  to  publish  only  the  truth,  which,  wre  believe, 
will  fully  vindicate  them  from  the  aspersions  that  even  many  his 
torians  have  been  blindly  led  to  cast  upon  them,  even  by  implica 
tion  that  their  conduct  was  cowardly  and  dishonorable,  which  is 
the  reverse  of  the  actual  truth. 

One  fact  seems  settled  beyond  question,  viz.  :  that  General 
Meade's  orders  to  General  Burnside,  and  the  latter's  orders  to  his 
division  commanders,  were  for  the  First  Division  to  move  beyond 
the  crater  and  seize  the  crest  known  as  Cemetery  Hill.  Whether 
it  were  possible  to  execute  the  order,  or  not,  will  always  remain  a 
question  of  speculation,  but  that  the  men  of  the  First  Division 
were  guilty  of  "misbehavior"  or  would  not  go  forward  in 
obedience  to  orders,  wre  emphatically  deny.  Early  in  the  action 
we  personally  heard  division  and  brigade  staff  officers  communi 
cating  orders  to  "  halt,"  later,  and  when  it  became  impossible  to 
advance,  orders  were  heard  to  move  "  forward." 

Colonel  Loring  of  General  Burnside's  staff  reported  during 
the  engagement  that  Ledlie's  division  was  in  the  crater,  but 
"  could  not  be  got  forward."  He  did  not  say  that  they  refused 
to  go  forward,  and  did  not  say  why  they  "  could  not  be  got 
forward."  This  was  about  an  hour  after  the  explosion  of  the 
mine.  General  Meade  evidently  did  not  understand  the  confused 
condition  of  affairs  at  that  time  existing  in  the  mine,  for  he  at 
once  ordered  General  Burnside  to  "  push  with  all  his  force  to  the 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

crest."  The  confusion  then  was  so  great,  and  the  obstacles  that 
were  presented  so  absolutely  insurmountable,  that  it  was  wholly 
impossible  to  have  obeyed  the  order,  even  if  every  man  had  been 
a  General  Grant,  a  General  Meade,  an  Agamemnon  or  Achilles. 

General  Grant  says  in  his  "  Personal  Memoirs  "  :  u  Ledlie's 
division  marched  into  the  crater  immediately  on  the  explosion, 
but  most  of  them  stopped  there  in  the  absence  of  any  one  to  give 
directions,  their  commander  having  found  some  safe  retreat  to 
get  into  before  they  started." 

Generals  Grant,  Meade  and  Buruside  all  agree  that  the 
orders  were  for  the  First  Division  to  push  forward  beyond  the 
crater  and  seize  Cemetery  Hill.  In  reviewing  the  reports,  made 
subsequent  to  the  affair,  as  published  in  "Rebellion  Records,"  we 
find  that  every  division  commander  acted  upon  this  basis.  Re 
ports  of  brigade  commanders  of  the  First  Division  are  silent  upon 
this  point,  but  assume  that  they  had  accomplished  their  purpose  in 
carrying  the  position  of  the  crater. 

As  General  Ledlie,  the  commander  of  the  First  Division,  has 
been  severely  censured  for  not  carrying  out  his  orders,  it  is  only 
fair  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  In  his  report  published  in 
"  Rebellion  Records,"  he  says  (after  describing  the  formations 
for  the  charge)  :  "I  then  gave  instructions  to  my  brigade  com 
manders  to  the  effect  that  when  the  order  for  the  charge  was 
given  the  column  should  move  through  the  breach  to  be  made  by 
the  mine  and  then  to  press  forward  and  occupy  the  hill  beyond, 
when  the  35th  were  to  be  set  at  work  throwing  up  intrenchments. 
At  daylight  everything  was  ready.  The  mine  was  sprung  at  4.45 
A.M.,  and  the  fortifications  in  my  front  were  utterly  demolished. 
As  soon  as  the  debris,  consequent  upon  the  explosion,  had  fallen 
to  the  ground,  I  gave  the  order  for  the  charge  and  my  brigades 
mounted  our  breastworks  and  pushed  forward  gallantly  over  the 
slope  leading  to  the  enemy's  line,  taking  possession  of  the  demol 
ished  fort  and  occupying  about  one  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's 
rifle  pits  to  the  left  (our  right  of  it),  capturing  one  stand  of  colors 
and  about  fifty  prisoners.  The  division  was  here  halted  to  re 
form  and  hastily  constructed  traverses  to  shield  the  men  from  a 
terrible  and  incessant  flank  fire,  which  at  the  same  time  afforded 


PETERSBURG    MINE.  223 

our  sharpshooters  an  excellent  opportunity  for  picking  off  can 
noneers  from  a  battery  that  enfiladed  the  position  and  poured  a 
destructive  fire  of  canister  and  shrapnel  into  my  line.  At  this 
time  the  enemy  was  holding  the  same  line  of  intrenchments  with 
my  own  troops,  starting  from  the  point  where  the  right  of  my 
division  rested  and  extending  thence  to  the  left  (our  right) .  It 
was  impossible  for  my  line  to  advance  from  this  position  as  no 
troops  had  come  up  on  my  right  to  dislodge  the  enemy,  and  had  I 
moved  my  line  forward  the  enemy  would,  merely  by  filing  to  the 
right  in  the  same  trench,  have  occupied  my  position  and  poured  a 
deadly  fire  into  my  rear.  I  reported  this  fact  to  one  of  the  corps 
staff  officers  and  soon  after  received  peremptory  orders  to  move 
my  troops  forward.  I  immediately  gave  the  necessary  orders, 
and  the  brigade  commanders  had  barely  got  their  men  into 
proper  position  for  a  charge  when  the  colored  troops  came  run 
ning  into  the  crater,  and  filing  through  passed  into  the  rifle  pits  to 
the  left  (our  right)  of  the  fort,  where  my  troops  now  formed  for 
the  charge. 

"  The  colored  troops  then  made  a  feeble  attempt  at  a  charge, 
but  before  they  accomplished  anything  the  enemy  made  a  fierce 
attack  and  they  retreated  precipitately  into  the  rifie  pits,  breaking 
my  line  and  crowding  the  pits  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was 
impossible  to  re-form  my  line. 

"  The  enemy,  seeing  the  advantage  gained  by  this  attack, 
shortly  afterwards  made  another,  fiercer  and  more  determined 
than  the  first,  and  owing  to  the  crowded  condition  of  the 
troops,  a  panic  was  created  among  the  colored  regiments  and  they 
broke  and  fled  in  disorder  to  the  rear,  pressing  back  with  them  a 
large  portion  of  my  line.  Those  remaining  in  the  pits  were  then 
captured  .  .  .  ." 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  report  that  he  had  at  some  time 
understood  that  his  order  was  to  go  forward  to  the  crest.  Com 
menting  upon  it,  through  the  light  of  personal  observation,  we 
are  free  to  say  that  after  passing  through  the  crater  with  much 
difficulty,  the  lines  had  become  considerably  broken  and  it  was 
necessary  to  halt  and  re-form  them  before  advancing  upon  Ceme 
tery  Hill.  However,  that  could  have  been  accomplished  before 


224 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


the  enemy  could  have  recovered  from  his  surprise.  As  for 
exposing  the  flanks,  where  the  enemy  might  gain  our  rear,  that 
had  already  been  provided  for  by  the  following  divisions  swinging 
to  the  right  and  left,  which  they  could  not  do  until  the  First 
Division  had  moved  forward  beyond  the  crater,  so  as  not  to  be  in 
the  way.  The  fact  was,  the  enemy  was  not  there  in  force  strong 
enough  to  make  any  flank  attack  and  very  little  firing  came  from 
the  flanks  for  some  time,  a  time  sufficient  to  have  executed  all  the 
movements  for  the  security  of  both  flanks  and  rear.  General 
Ledlie's  orders  were  imperative  and  left  him  no  discretion.  He 
should  therefore  have  been  present  in  person,  clothed  in  his  right 
mind,  re-formed  his  lines  at  once  and  charged  the  crest  beyond, 
though  it  had  cost  him  every  man  in  the  division ;  leaving  the 
part  to  be  performed  by  others  to  those  to  whom  the  task  had 
been  assigned,  instead  of  faltering  for  fear  they  would  not  do  it. 
As  General  Ledlie  was  not  present  with  his  division,  his  report  is 
based  upon  those  made  to  him,  what  others  saw  and  not  he,  and 
therefore  loses  most  of  its  value  as  a  reliable  document.  We 
only  give  it  that  his  version  of  the  affair  may  be  considered  for 
what  it  is  deemed  worth. 

In  General  Burnside's  report  he  says  :  "At  about  6.30  A.M. 
orders  were  again  sent  to  the  division  commanders  not  to  halt  at 
the  works,  but  to  advance  at  once  to  the  crest  without  waiting  for 
mutual  support." 

In  the  general  plan  of  attack  the  Ninth  Corps  was  to  be 
supported  by  the  Fifth  and  Eighteenth,  the  latter  to  follow  the 
Ninth  when  the  way  was  clear,  while  the  Fifth  was  to  consolidate 
on  their  right,  to  the  left  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  advance  upon 
the  enemy's  main  line  in  case  it  should  be  weakened  to  meet  the 
assault  of  the  Ninth.  During  the  operations  the  Fifth  Corps 
made  no  attempt  to  advance,  its  commander  reporting  that  the 
rebel  works  in  his  front  were  still  held  by  a  strong  force.  He 
does  not  say  upon  what  information  this  report  was  based. 
Those  who  were  in  the  crater  and  in  position  where  they  could 
see,  have  stated  that  the  Confederate  front  line  for  some  distance 
to  the  right  and  left  was  for  a  time  almost  entirely  abandoned. 


G.    W.    TOURTELLOT, 


Sergeant  Co.  H,   57th  Mass. 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


225 


These  statements    have    since    been    confirmed    by    Confederate 
reports. 

An  advance  along  the  whole  line,  at  this  time,  to  the  right 
and  left  of  the  crater,  could  probably  have  been  made  as  easily 
as  it  was  the  following  April.  At  least  a  demonstration  by  the 
troops  which  were  held  in  reserve  would  have  relieved  the  terrible 
pressure  which  was  bearing  with  deadly  effect  upon  the  Ninth 
Corps  in  the  crater ;  we  mean  a  direct  assault  upon  the  enemy's 
intrenched  line  and  not  by  way  of  the  crater.  This  would  have 
given  the  troops  of  the  Ninth  Corps  an  opportunity  for  re-forming 
and  moving  forward  to  Cemetery  Hill. 

One  brigade  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  did  get  in  when  it  became 
too  late  to  accomplish  anything,  but  as  General  Meade  reported, 
was  carried  back  by  the  "disorganized  Fourth  Division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps."  In  the  report  above  referred  to  (see  "Rebellion 
Records  ")  General  Meade  adds  :  "It  will  be  seen  to  be  the  con 
current  testimony  of  all  parties  that  the  failure  of  success  was  in 
a  great  measure  due  to  the  injudicious  advance  of  the  colored 
division  into  the  overcrowded  crater  and  adjacent  parts  of  the 
enemy's  line,  and  to  the  confusion  produced  by  their  retiring  a 
disordered  and  disorganized  mass  after  attempting  an  assault." 

On  the  24th  of  July,  six  days  preceding  this  affair,  General 
Meade  called  upon  his  chief  engineer  (Major  Duane)  for  his 
opinion  as  to  the  expediency  of  an  assault  after  the  explosion  of 
the  mine.  The  latter  replied  (same  date)  :  "I  have  the  honor  to 
state  that  the  line  of  the  enemy's  works  in  front  of  General 
Burnside  is  not  situated  on  the  crest  of  the  ridge  separating  us 
from  Petersburg;  that  the  enemy  have  undoubtedly  occupied  this' 
ridge  as  a  second  line.  Should  General  Burnside  succeed  in 
exploding  his  mine  he  would  probably  be  able  to  take  the  enemy's 
first  line,  which  is  about  one  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  his 
approach.  Beyond  this  I  do  not  think  he  could  advance  until  the 
works  in  front  of  the  Fifth  Corps  are  carried,  as  the  Ninth  Corps 
columns  would  be  taken  in  flank  by  a  heavy  artillery  fire  from 
works  in  front  of  the  centre  of  the  Fifth  Corps  and  in  front  by 
fire  from  the  works  on  the  crest  near  the  Cemetery  Hill.  I  do 
not  believe  that  the  works  in  front  of  the  Fifth  Corps  can  be 


15 


226 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


carried  until  our  lines  can  be  extended  to  the  left,  so  as  to 
envelop  the  enemy's  line." 

Tne  Court  of  Inquiry  which  was  ordered  to  inquire  into  the 
cause  of  failure  severely  censured  the  Ninth  Corps  Commander 
(General  Burnside)  and  every  division  commander  of  the  Ninth 
Corps,  except  General  Potter,  but  was  entirely  silent  upon  the 
inaction  of  the  commander  of  the  Fifth  Corps. 

While  General  Burnside  requested  an  investigation  of  the 
matter,  he  objected  to  the  court,  as  constituted,  and  addressed 
a  letter  to  that  effect  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  which  he  said  : 
"Whilst  I  have  the  greatest  respect  for  the  officers  composing 
the  court  ordered  by  Special  Orders  War  Department,  No.  258, 
to  examine  into  the  affair  of  the  30th  instant  (ultimo)  I  beg  to 
submit  that  it  should  be  composed  of  officers  who  do  not  belong 
to  this  army.  Whilst  I  am  most  willing  and  feel  it  my  due  to 
have  the  fullest  investigation,  I  should  not,  under  the  circum 
stances,  demand  one,  nor  seek  to  press  the  matter  to  an  issue  in 
any  degree  adverse  to  the  general  commanding  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  I  am  ready  to  await  the  verdict  of  time.  But,  if  an 
investigation  is  to  be  had,  I  feel  that  I  have  a  right  to  ask  that  it 
be  made  by  officers  not  in  this  army,  and  not  selected  by  General 
Meade.  All  of  the  officers  constituting  the  court  held  command 
in  the  supporting  columns  which  were  not  brought  into  action  that 
day.  The  judge  advocate  is  a  member  of  General  Meade's  staff. 
General  Meade  has  also  preferred  charges  against  me  upon  which 
I  desire  to  be  tried.  As  the  court  convenes  on  Monday,  the  8th 
instant,  I  respectfully  request  an  answer  may  be  returned  as  soon 
as  possible." 

This  request  was  not  granted,  and  the  court,  as  originally  con 
stituted,  was  convened.  Its  findings  have  not  been  fully  justified 
by  the  verdict  of  time,  or  the  Congressional  Committee.  Our 
gallant  brigade  commander,  General  Bartlett,  received  no  censure, 
and  as  he  always  spoke  in  the  highest  praise  of  the  conduct  of 
the  brigade,  we  are  unable  to  see  any  truth  or  justice  in  the  slurs 
and  criticisms  that  have  been  cast  upon  the  men  of  the  First 
Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  With  all  that  has  been  said  to  their 
discredit,  not  a  single  incident  of  cowardice  has  ever  been  cited, 


PETERSBURG    MINE. 


227 


and  no  cue  has  ventured  to  say  what,  under  the  circumstances, 
for  which  they  were  not  responsible,  they  should  have  done. 

General  Barnes,  who  succeeded  General  Bartlett  in  command 
of  the  brigade,  after  the  latter  had  been  captured,  speaks  in  praise 
of  Capt.  George  H.  Howe,  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts, 
who  "was  killed  while  standing  on  the  enemy's  works  and  en 
couraging  the  men." 


CHAPTER    X. 


WELDON   RAILROAD. 

''CCORDING   to  the  Returns  of  the  Army  of  the  Po 
tomac  on  the  20th  of  July,  1864  (prior  to  the  crater 
engagement) ,  its  effective  force  of  infantry,  enlisted 
men  present  for  duty  equipped,    was  37,984;     its 
effective  force  of  cavalry,    10,280.       The    effective 
force  of  infantry  of  the  Army  of    the  James  on  the 
31st  of  July  was  24,009  ;   of  its  cavalry  1,880. 
k4The  effective  force  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  on 
the    10th    of    July    (Confederate),   was    39,295;    of    its  cavalry, 
8,436.      The  Sixth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  the 
Second  Corps  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  were  detached  and 
not  included  in   these  returns.      Johnson's  and  Hoke's  divisions 
are  included  in  the  strength  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia." 
The  above  is  taken  from  u  The  Virginia  Campaign  of  1864 
and  18(55,"  by  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys,  page  265. 

After  the  disastrous  affair  at  the  crater,  the  remnant  of  the 
regiment,  numbering  less  than  fifty  men  for  duty,  under  command 
of  Lieut.  Albert  Doty,  resumed  the  old  routine  in  the  trenches 
and  was  assigned  to  the  Third  P>rigade  of  the  First  Division, 
commanded  by  General  White.  Col.  Joseph  H.  Barnes  of  the 
29th  Massachusetts  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  brigade. 
The  men  felt  a  satisfaction  in  knowing  that  the  division  com 
mander  was  an  officer  of  acknowledged  ability  and  one  upon  whom 
they  could  rely,  while  Colonel  Barnes  was  a  gallant  officer  who 
had  been  conspicuous  for  his  bravery  upon  many  former  occasions, 
a  man  of  tireless  energy  and  dash,  in  every  respect  a  fine  soldier. 
General  Burnside  was  granted  leave  of  absence  August  13th, 
and  immediately  took  his  departure  from  the  nrmy,  much  to  the 


230  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

regret  of  all  the  officers  and  men  under  his  command,  who  held 
him  in  great  esteem  and  affection.  His  kind  consideration  of 
them,  during  all  the  trying  scenes  through  which  the  Ninth  Corps 
had  passed,  had  won  for  him  the  enduring  affection  of  all.  Know 
ing  that  he  felt  more  deeply  than  anyone  else  the  mortification  of 
the  dark  crater  disaster,  the  men  felt  that  he,  as  well  as  they, 
had  been  made  the  victim  of  a  combination  of  unfortunate  circum 
stances,  and  their  hearts  clung  to  him  all  the  stronger.  There 
never  was  a  time  when  his  name  would  arouse  more  enthusiasm  in 
the  Ninth  Corps  than  when  he  was  taking  leave  of  it.  Men  in 
the  ranks  may  be  entirely  ignorant  of  the  plans  and  purposes  of 
those  in  high  command,  but  they  are  not  slow,  and  seldom  err. 
to  perceive  where  the  responsibility  rests  for  failure  or  success. 
This  was  not  an  exceptional  instance,  and  their  judgment  did  not 
fix  the  entire  responsibility  of  this  failure  upon  General  Burnside. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Gen.  John  G.  Parke.  General  Ledlie's 
leave-taking  was  not  so  much  to  be  regretted.  It  rather  seemed 
that  he  was  a  little  out  of  place  as  a  general,  though  he  would 
doubtless  have  proved  a  success  in  running  a  hotel.  His  removal 
from  command  was  a  heavy  loss  to  the  enemy. 

The  brigade  was  given  no  time  for  rest  or  recuperation.  One 
day  it  would  be  in  the  rifle  pits  at  the  front,  and  the  next  doing 
fatigue  duty  in  rear,  and  constantly  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  both  day  and  night,  losing  one  man,  Private  Wesley  D. 
Goddard  of  Co.  F,  mortally  wounded  (died  Aug.  18th,  1864), 
and  four  men  wounded,  viz.  :  Privates  Patrick  Delaney  and 
William  Neville  of  Co.  A,  George  W.  Kinney,  Co.  I,  and  Henry 
H.  Perry  of  Co.  K  (died  of  wounds  April  9th,  1865). 

During  the  night  of  August  14th,  the  Ninth  Corps  was  re 
lieved  by  the  Eighteenth  and  marched  off  to  the  left,  where  it 
relieved  the  Fifth  Corps,  while  the  latter  moved  towards  the 
Weldon  Railroad.  Here  the  regiment,  with  the  rest  of  the  brig 
ade,  was  placed  on  the  skirmish  line,  in  an  exposed  position, 
without  defensive  works  of  any  kind.  On  the  19th  it  was  moved 
still  farther  to  the  left,  in  order  to  connect  with  the  Fifth  Corps. 
While  on  the  march  through  a  drenching  rainstorm,  it  was 
furiously  attacked  by  the  enemy,  who  approached  from  a  piece  of 


WELDON    RAILROAD. 


231 


woods  and  assailed  the  right  flank.  For  a  time  our  troops  were 
staggered  and  a  serious  disaster  was  threatened.  The  attack  was 
made  by  the  Confederate  troops  under  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill,  Mahone's 
division  being  directed  upon  the  command  of  General  Wilcox. 
The  fighting  at  this  point  was  very  spirited,  but  our  troops  suc 
ceeded  in  holding  the  lines  against  repeated  charges ;  the 
Fifty- Seventh  again  lost  heavily.  The  regiment  went  into  action 
with  forty-five  enlisted  men  under  command  of  1st  Lieut.  Albert 
Doty  and  lost  one  enlisted  man  killed,  Private  Uriah  Barrett  of 
Co.  A,  and  Corp.  George  W.  Willard  of  Co.  H,  who  died  of 
wounds  Sept.  18th,  1864,  making  the  loss  two  killed,  seven 
wounded  and  seven  missing  as  follows  :  — 

WOUNDED. 

A.  Bedreanx,  Pvt.       Co.  A  Edmund  Pine,               Pvt.       Co.  F 

Daniel  Flynn,  Dennis  Lee,  "         Co.  G 

Henry  C.  Flagg,  Sergt.  Co.  B  (Died  of  wounds  Sept.  7th,  1864.) 

Charles  A.  Bates,  Pvt.       Co  D  Guiiford  P.  Heath,       Pvt.       Co.  K 

MISSING. 

Joseph  E.  Sweetser,     Pvt.       Co.  A       Merwin  Rowe,  Pvt.       Co.  C 

(Died  of  wounds  Oct.  30th,  1864,         Charles  Rathburue,        "         Co.  D 

at  Salisbury,  N.C.)  John  Shea, 

Charles  E.  Culver,  Pvt.  Co.  B  Joseph  H.  Beckwith,  "  Co.  I 
Joseph  Benois,  Co.  C 

Making  a  total  of  sixteen.  The  regiment  had  now  become 
reduced  to  one  officer  and  less  than  one-third  of  a  company. 

The  timely  arrival  of  the  Ninth  Corps  saved  the  Fifth  from 
defeat.  The  corps  captured  about  two  hundred  prisoners  and  a 
stand  of  colors,  held  and  strengthened  the  line  which  had  been 
captured  and  which,  after  that,  became  a  part  of  the  main  line  of 
Federal  works  on  the  left.  The  Ninth  Corps  was  now  posted, 
with  the  division  of  General  Wilcox  on  the  right,  from  the  Fifth 
Corps  on  the  Weldon  Railroad  to  the  left  of  the  Second  Corps 
on  the  Jerusalem  plank  road,  and  remained  in  this  position  until 
the  21st,  when  the  enemy  resumed  the  attack  with  great  vigor, 
repeatedly  charging  our  line  of  breastworks,  in  order  to  regain 
possession  of  that  part  of  the  Weldon  Railroad,  which  had  been 
captured  by  our  troops,  but  each  charge  was  repulsed  with  great 


232 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


loss  to  the  assailants.  The  Federal  loss  was  also  considerable, 
amounting  to  about  three  thousand  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
The  Fifth  Corps  lost  heavily  in  missing. 

The  great  object  of  contention  was  now  the  Petersburg  and 
Weldon  Railroad,  running  nearly  due  south  from  Petersburg,  and 
which  was  one  of  the  main  arteries  of  supply  for  the  Confederate 
troops  in  and  around  Petersburg.  With  this  in  possession  of  the 
Federals,  they  had  only  the  South  Side  Railroad,  running  in  a 
southwesterly  direction  and  connecting  with  the  Richmond  and 
Danville  Railroad  at  Burke's  Station,  which  was  also  the  junction 
of  the  railroad  from  Richmond  to  Lynchburg,  due  west  from 
Petersburg.  The  South  Side  road  would  be  their  main  source  of 
supply,  although  they  held  undisputed  possession  of  the  railroad 
from  Petersburg  to  Richmond.  The  possession  of  the  small 
portion  of  the  Weldon  Railroad  held  by  the  Federal  troops  would 
not  prevent  the  Confederates  from  using  it,  as  a  line  of  supply,  up 
to  a  point  where  freight  could  be  hauled  by  wagons  to  Petersburg. 
The  object  of  the  Federal  commander  was  to  gain  possession  of, 
or  destroy,  about  ten  or  twelve  miles  more  of  it,  to  the  south,  as 
far  as  Rowanty  Creek.  This  would  necessitate  the  hauling  of 
Confederate  supplies  around  by  Dinwiddie  Court  House  and 
Boydton  plank  road  to  Petersburg,  thus  rendering  the  Weldon 
Railroad  of  little  practical  use  as  a  source  of  supply  to  the 
Confederate  army. 

The  Federal  movement  to  gain  this  object  was  anticipated 
by  the  Confederates,  who,  fully  realizing  its  importance,  took 
steps  to  prevent  it,  General  Lee  sending  most  of  A.  P.  Hill's 
corps,  with  one  brigade  of  Longstreet's  and  two  divisions  of 
General  Wade  Hampton's  cavalry,  to  gain  possession  of  the 
disputed  road.  These  movements  brought  on  the  engagement  at 
Ream's  Station,  a  point  on  the  above  mentioned  road,  just  north 
of  Rowanty  Creek.  The  Second  Corps  had  been  moved  around 
to  the  left  in  the  vicinity  of  Ream's  Station,  where  it  was  attacked 
on  the  25th  by  the  troops  under  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill,  wrho  gained  a 
decided  advantage,  the  loss  of  the  Second  Corps  being  nearly 
twenty- five  hundred,  with  the  loss  of  several  stands  of  colors. 
As  the  Fifty-Seventh  did  not  actively  participate  in  this  engage- 


WELDON    RAILROAD. 


233 


ment  we  will  not  attempt  a  description  of  it.  The  heavy  losses 
which  had  fallen  upon  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps  had 
so  reduced  it  as  to  make  a  reorganization  of  the  corps  necessary. 
In  Woodbury's  "History  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps"  he  speaks 
of  the  First  Division  as  follows  :  kt  They  had  borne  an  honorable 
part  in  every  action  since  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  and  had 
left  on  every  battlefield  the  evidences  of  their  heroic  self -sacrifice. 
It  now  became  necessary  to  merge  the  troops  of  the  First  Divi 
sion  with  those  of  the  Second  and  Third.  The  troops  were 
divided,  but  the  name  was  retained.  General  White  was  relieved 
and  General  Wilcox  placed  in  command  of  the  First  Division  and 
General  Potter  in  command  of  the  Second,  as  thus  compacted." 
In  this  consolidation  and  transfer  (Sept.  1st,  18G4),  the  2i)th, 
57th  and  59th  Massachusetts,  3d  Maryland,  100th  Pennsylvania 
and  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery  composed  the  Third  Brigade, 
First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps. 

On  the  25th  of  August  the  regiment  was  moved  about  half  a 
mile  to  the  right  and  constructed  a  strong  line  of  earthworks, 
where  it  remained  doing  picket  duty  until  September  29th.  Dur 
ing  this  time  some  of  the  officers  and  men  who  had  been  absent, 
sick  and  wounded  returned  to  the  regiment  for  duty,  so  that  it 
numbered  about  sixty  men.  On  September  3d,  Lieut-Col.  J.  31. 
Tucker,  though  not  having  entirely  recovered  from  the  wound  he 
received  on  the  17th  of  June,  joined  and  took  command  of  the 
regiment. 

On  the  14th  of  September,  N.  B.  McLaughlen  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  as  colonel  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  per 
special  orders  from  the  War  Department,  with  rank  from  Dec. 
17th,  1862.  He  immediately  assumed  command  of  the  brigade 
by  virtue  of  seniority  of  his  commission.  Colonel  McLaughlen  at 
this  time  held  a  commission  as  captain  in  the  Fourth  Regular 
Cavalry.  He  had  previously  held  the  position  of  colonel  of  the 
old  1st  Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  was  an  officer  of  wide  ex 
perience,  brave  and  cool  in  action,  firm  in  discipline,  efficient  in 
command  and  ambitious  to  win  the  glittering  star,  but,  as  it  only 
came  by  brevet,  it  never  shone  in  full  radiance  upon  his  shoulders. 

Before  closing  the  chapter  on  the  Weldon  Railroad,  we  take 
pleasure  in  publishing  a  portion  of  a  very  interesting  article  from 


234 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMEXT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


the  pen  of  Whitman  V.  White,  M.D.,  published  in  the  January 
(1895)  number  of  the  magazine  entitled  "Blue  and  Gray." 
Doctor  White  was  surgeon  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  at 
the  time.  I  omit  the  part  relating  to  other  regiments. 

"  The  division  was  under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General 
White  and  the  brigade  was  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Barnes. 
The  command  reached  an  open  field  just  in  season  to  check  a 
well-meant  flank  movement  of  the  enemy 

u  In  all  my  service  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  as  medical 
officer  at  division  headquarters,  I  was  really  under  fire  but  a  few 
times.  This  was  one  of  the  occasions,  consequently  the  events 
of  that  day  were  burned  into  my  soul  and  can  never  be  forgotten. 
If  I  had  time  to  write  the  history  of  the  regiment  of  which  I  was 
commissioned  surgeon  by  Governor  Andrew  of  Massachusetts 
(Fifty-Seventh) ,  of  its  almost  complete  annihilation  in  the  battles 
from  the  Wilderness  to  the  Weldon  Railroad,  every  man  of  which 
was  my  personal  friend,  one  could  appreciate  the  sentiment  which 
prompted  me,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  18th  of  August,  to  go  and  see 
the  few  that  were  left  in  the  trenches  on  the  right  of  the  line  in  front 
of  Petersburg.*  Our  casualties  embraced  the  killing  or  wounding 
of  every  field  and  line  officer  except  two.  The  regiment  was  in 
command  of  a  1st  lieutenant,  the  line  quiet  arid  the  evening  balmy. 
Gen.  Julius  White  was  temporarily  in  command  of  the  division, 
which  was  three  miles  from  where  I  had  located  the  division  hospital. 
The  General  invited  me  to  remain  with  him  until  morning,  and 
supplied  me  with  a  blanket  on  which  I  laid  down  upon  the  veranda 
of  the  house  which  was  occupied  by  the  officers.  At  three  A.M. 
I  was  awakened  by  the  long  roll.  An  aide  from  corps  head 
quarters  brought  an  order  for  the  division  to  move  immediately 
for  the  Weldon  Railroad,  about  eight  miles  distant,  to  the  support 
of  a  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  that  had  been  attacked  the  day 
before  and  repulsed.  Instead  of  going  back  to  the  hospital  I 
sent  my  orderly  to  order  the  ambulance  train  and  medical  staff  to 
follow  on.  As  the  skeleton  of  my  regiment  passed  the  place 
where  General  White  and  I  were  standing,  a  young  private  said 
to  me:  'Doctor,  I  have  no  musket;  may  I  go  to  the  rear?'  I 


*This  relates  to  the  crater,  July  30th.— J.  A. 


WELDOX    RAILROAD. 


235 


said  to  him:  'Go  with  us,  my  boy,  we  will  take  care  of  you.' 
On  the  march  I  saw  him  trudging  along.  The  morning  was 
bright  and  clear.  We  followed  an  aide  from  the  Fifth  Corps  and 
an  occasional  shot  in  the  distance  told  us  that  we  were  nearing 
the  Confederate  lines.  I  was  riding  with  General  White  and  his 
staff  as  we  entered  a  cornfield,  not  one  of  us  suspecting  that  we 
were  near  the  line  of  action,  when  from  a  piece  of  wood,  which 
skirted  the  field,  we  received  a  volley  of  musketry  on  our  right 
flank.  The  worn-out  little  private  who  had  asked  to  go  to  the 
rear  when  we  started,  lay  dead  with  a  bullet  hole  through  his 
forehead.  When  I  saw  his  lifeless  form,  as  he  lay  between  the 
rows  of  corn,  I  reproached  myself  for  not  allowing  him  to  go  to 
the  rear. 

"  In  a  moment  a  line  of  battle  was  formed.  We  were  isolated. 
From  the  firing  wrhich  then  became  general  along  the  whole  line, 
General  White  learned  the  direction  of  the  Fifth  Corps  line  of 
battle.  Captain  Snow  of  his  staff  said  he  would  try  and  find  the 
left  of  Warren's  line.  I  immediately  took  possession  of  a  house 
under  the  hill  and  established  a  field  hospital.  An  aide  from  the 
Second  Brigade  staff  reported  to  me,  saying  he  was  not  well  and 
asked  to  remain  with  me  at  the  field  hospital.  He  was  constitu 
tionally  a  coward  and  could  not  help  it;  otherwise  he  was  a 
magnificent  fellow,  a  social  chum  of  Captain  Snow.  As  soon  as 
the  ambulances  reported  they  were  sent  in  the  direction  of  the 
firing,  returning  shortly  filled  with  the  wounded,  some  of  wThom 
had  lain  on  the  ground  all  night.  It  was  not  long  before  word 
was  brought  me  that  Captain  Snow  wras  badly  wounded,  and  he 
was  removed  to  the  division  hospital  far  in  our  rear.  The  Captain 
had  found  Warren's  left,  and  when  returning,  went  through  a 
terrific  fire.  He  lay  on  his  horse's  neck  and  rode  fast  and  furious, 
but,  in  this  position,  a  bullet  entered  the  top  of  his  shoulder,  and 
passing  downward  and  outward,  cut  the  spinal  cord  below  his 
arms,  thus  paralyzing  him,  with  the  exception  of  his  arms.  When 
the  lieutenant,  to  whom  I  have  referred,  pushed  aside  the  tent  fly 
and  saw  his  bosom  companion  lying  there  helpless,  his  emotions 
overcame  him,  and  he  turned  quickly  and  looked  out  of  the  tent. 
Observing  this,  the  dying  soldier  said :  '  Never  mind,  lieutenant, 
this  is  the  fortune  of  war.  I  have  been  in  twenty-four  battles 


236  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

and  thought  I  should  live  to  get  home,  but  I  have  met  the  fate  of 
a  soldier.'  .... 

' '  The  house  and  the  yard  where  I  had  established  the 
temporary  field  hospital  were  soon  filled  with  wounded  from  the 

Fifth  Corps,  our  division  and  some  Confederates I 

made  no  distinction  among  the  wounded  so  far  as  personal  com 
fort  was  concerned,  but  attended  to  operations  for  our  own  men 
first,  if  there  were  no  immediate  necessity  of  doing  otherwise. 
Among  the  Confederates  wounded  was  an  Irishman  with  a  broad 
brogue.  His  right  limb  was  shattered  below  the  knee,  he  had  a 
wound  through  the  thigh  and  a  fiesh  wound  in  the  abdominal  wall. 
This  Irishman,  I  think,  was  from  a  Louisiana  regiment.  He  was 
made  comfortable  while  he  waited  for  me  to  amputate  his  leg. 
As  he  lay  upon  an  improvised  bed,  I  went  to  him  and  said  :  '  Pat, 
I  didn't  expect  to  find  you  fighting  against  the  old  green  flag.' 
His  reply  was  :  '  Shure,  they  made  me  think  it  was  for  the  old 
green  flag  I  was  fighting.  I  have  been  in  the  South  for  eleven 
years.'  I  told  him  we  were  going  to  do  for  him  just  as  we  did 
for  our  own  men  and  his  leg  must  come  off.  He  said  he  knew  it 
and  wanted  the  job  done.  In  a  playful  way  I  said  to  him:  'You 
will  not  be  able  to  march  with  a  wooden  leg,  but  you  can  ride  a 
horse,  so  if  you  get  well,  you  can  join  the  cavalry.'  His  reply 
was :  '  A  divil  a  step  will  I  go.'  I  asked  him  if  the  Confederates 
did  not  owe  him  pay.  He  said,  '  Yes,  eleven  months.'  '  You'll 
go  back  for  that?'  I  questioned.  'Not  much,'  was  the  reply; 
'  it  would  take  a  mouth's  pay  to  get  a  good  dinner  in  Richmond. 
You  might  as  well  have  the  laves  off  the  bushes.' 

"  Among  the  wounded  of  the  Fifth  Corps  that  made  an  attack 
on  the  18th  was  Lieutenant  McKibbin,  of  General  Hay's  staff. 
When  I  came  to  him,  as  an  expression  of  his  gratitude  he  took  a 
stud  from  his  shirt  bosom,  on  which  was  marked  his  initials  and 
regiment,  and  asked  me  to  keep  it  as  a  token  from  him.  About 
noon  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents.  There  were  no  roads  or 
fences  as  landmarks,  and  getting  about,  except  on  foot  or  horse 
back,  was  difficult.  The  scenes  we  passed  through  that  day,  the 
discomforts  of  the  situation  and  the  continual  loss  of  so  many 
men  and  officers,  have  left  their  lasting  impression." 


CHAPTER    XI. 


POPLAR   GROVE    CHURCH. 

LL  quiet  along  the  Appomattox,"  was  the  condition  of 
affairs  during  most  of  the  month  of  September, 
1864.  The  regiment  took  its  place  in  the  trenches 
and  did  not  engage  in  active  operations  until  near 
the  end  of  the  month,  and  the  men  were  allowed  a 
little  rest.  This,  however,  was  only  '.'  the  calm  that 
precedes  the  storm."  General  Grant  was  again  form 
ulating  his  plans  for  further  "  hammering,"  and  his  attention  was 
still  directed  towards  the  Confederate  right  flank.  His  aim  was 
now,  not  only  to  secure  a  firmer  grasp  of  the  foothold  gained  on 
the  Weklon  Railroad,  but  to  extend  the  left  flank  further  to  the 
west  to  gain  possession  of  the  South  Side  Railroad  heretofore 
mentioned  This  successfully  accomplished  would  leave  the 
Confederates  in  possession  of  only  one  railroad,  that  running 
north  to  Richmond.  It  was  known  that  the  Confederates  would 
not  relinquish  the  South  Side  road  without  the  most  desperate 
fighting  ;  that  every  step  of  the  way  would  be  stubbornly  disputed. 
On  the  28th  of  September,  the  First  and  Second  Divisions 
of  the  Ninth  Corps  were  massed  in  preparation  for  the  contem 
plated  advance,  and  on  the  30th  the  movement  commenced.  It 
wras  a  continuation  .of  the  old  story,  "swinging  around  to  the 
left,"  to  crush  the  Confederate  right.  The  Ninth  Corps  was  to 
co-operate  with  the  Fifth,  the  first  objective  point  being  to  gain 
possession  of  the  intersection  of  two  wagon  roads  of  considerable 
importance,  known  as  the  Poplar  Spring  and  Squirrel  Level  roads. 
This  wTas  at  Peeble's  farm,  about  twro  miles  beyond  and  to  the 
west  of  the  Weldon  Railroad.  From  there  the  movement  was  to 
be  further  continued  toward- the  Boydton  road  and  the  South  Side 
Railroad  ;  pushed,  in  fact,  as  far  as  possible.  The  enemy  was 
strongly  posted  on  a  ridge  of  hills  near  Peeble's  farm.  General 


238 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Griffin's  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  made  a  gallant  charge  over 
six  hundred  yards  of  open  ground,  carrying  the  enemy's  position 
and  capturing  one  gun  and  a  small  number  of  prisoners.  The 
enemy  retired  to  another  intrenched  position  about  half  a  mile  in 
rear  of  the  first.  The  Ninth  Corps  moved  up  promptly  to  the 
support  of  the  Fifth.  The  two  divisions,  First  and  Second,  moved 
through  the  Pegram  farm  towards  the  Boydton  road.  The  Second 
Brigade  of  the  Second  Division  moved  forward  to  the  attack,  but 
was  met  by  a  superior  force,  which  broke  the  line  between  the 
two  corps  (Fifth  and  Ninth) ,  throwing  it  into  considerable  con 
fusion.  This  disaster  fell  mostly  upon  the  Second  Division  of 
the  Ninth  Corps,  General  Potter's.  The  First  Division,  General 
Wilcox,  moved  promptly  forward  in  support  and  aided  General 
Potter  in  establishing  his  line  again.  The  First  Division  of  the 
Fifth  Corps  was  hurried  up  to  this  point,  made  an  attack  and 
succeeded  in  checking  the  further  advance  of  the  enemy. 

Night  coming  on  terminated  the  engagement  for  that  day 
(Sept.  30th,  1864)  and  the  Ninth  Corps  proceeded  to  occupy  the 
captured  works  at  Peeble's  farm,  its  right  connecting  with  the 
left  of  the  Fifth.  The  position  thus  gained  was  at  once  intrenched. 
This  carried  our  intrenched  lines  about  three  miles  beyond  the 
Welclon  Railroad. 

In  describing  the  movements  of  the  several  brigades  and 
divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  the  reader  must  constantly  bear  in 
mind  that  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  at  this  time,  belonged 
to  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  First  Division,  General  Wilcox.  The 
casualties  on  the  Federal  side  in  this  affair  amounted  to  something 
over  two  thousand,  of  which  over  half  were  prisoners.  The  loss 
of  the  Confederates  is  unknown.  The  Fifty-Seventh  again  came 
in  for  its  share  and  lost  one  man  killed,  with  seven  wounded,  as 
follows :  — 

KILLED. 

Lyman  Broad,  Pvt.  Co.  A 

WOUNDED. 

Franklin  W.  Card,  Sergt.  Co.  D  Carlos  A.  Parker,         Pvt.       Co.  G 

Patrick  Flynn,  Pvt.  George  H.  Wellman,     "         Co.  H 

John  Hennessey,  "         Co.  F.  John  F.  Wellman,          " 

Frederick  W.  Parks,  " 


POPLAR    GROVE   CHURCH. 


239 


While  these  demonstrations  were  being  made  the  enemy  was 
strengthening  his  works  and  had  extended  his  right  as  far  as 
Hatcher's  Run  beyond  and  to  the  west  of  the  Boydton  plank  road, 
and  was  in  position  to  check  any  move  that  might  be  made  against 
the  South  Side  road. 

The  Ninth  Corps  remained  in  position  until  October  2d, 
when,  in  connection  with  the  Second  Corps,  it  made  a  reconnois- 
sance  towards  the  Boydton  road,  where  the  enemy  was  found  in 
force,  strongly  intrenched,  and  no  attack  was  made. 

Nothing  of  importance  took  place  between  the  two  armies 
from  this  time  to  October  8th.  The  Federal  commander  was,  in 
the  meantime,  waiting  for  a  favorable  time  and  opportunity  for 
striking  a  decisive  blow,  while  the  Confederate  commander  was 
making  dispositions  to  successfully  parry  it. 

The  morale  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  this  time  was  not 
what  it  had  been  at  the  beginning  of  the  campaign.  The  flower 
of  the  old  army  had  been  gradually  diminishing  and  the  numbers 
made  partially  good  by  drafted  men  and  "  bounty- jumpers,"  men 
who  would  shirk  every  dangerous  duty  and  would  not  go  into 
battle  unless  driven.  It  was  the  complaint  of  most  of  the  corps 
and  division  commanders  that  these  men  could  not  be  relied  upon. 
They  could  not  take  the  same  risks  with  them  that  they  would 
with  tried  veterans.  Yet  there  were  enough  of  the  old  soldiers 
present  to  hold  these  men  in  line,  even  if  they  were  of  very  little 
use  there.  Such  men  seldom  fall  in  battle ;  their  fighting  is 
mostly  done  at  home  after  the  battle  is  over ;  war  takes  the 
best  and  bravest.  If  the  men  whose  bones  were  resting  beneath  the 
blood-stained  soil  of  Virginia  could  have  been  again  marshalled  in 
line,  just  those  alone  who  had  fallen  in  this  campaign,  the  Con 
federate  right  would  soon  have  been  shattered.  Whether  the 
results  obtained  fully  compensated  for  all  this  slaughter,  will 
always  remain  a  disputed  question. 

October  8th,  the  Fifty-Seventh  was  again  brought  into  action 
under  command  of  the  brave  Major  Doherty,  who  had  just  joined 
again  for  duty,  having  been  absent  on  account  of  a  severe  wound 
received  at  Petersburg  on  the  17th  of  June.  The  following  report 
of  this  affair,  copied  from  the  Report  of  the  Adjutant- General, 


240  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

State  of  Massachusetts,  for  the  year  1864,  gives  a  very  brief  and 
concise  account  of  the  part  performed  by  the  regiment :  — 

"The  First  Division,  Ninth  Army  Corps,  being  ordered  to 
make  a  reconnoissance  in  force,  moved  from  its  camp  in  a 
direction  to  the  left  of  the  Pegram  House.*  Arriving  at  the 
picket  line,  the  Fifty-Seventh,  under  command  of  Major  James 
Doherty,  was  deployed  as  skirmishers,  covering  the  front  of  the 
Third  Brigade.  An  advance  of  half  a  mile  brought  in  view  the 
cavalry  videttes  of  the  enemy,  posted  in  the  edge  of  the  woods, 
in  rear  of  a  deserted  line  of  works.  The  line  continued  its 
advance,  driving  the  pickets  through  the  timber  and  across  a  field 
into  a  forest  beyond,  at  whicli  time  the  left  of  the  Fifty- Seventh 
became  detached  from  the  skirmishers  of  the  First  Brigade  of  the 
First  Division,  in  consequence  of  that  brigade  having  obliqued  to 
the  left.  Whereupon  the  enemy,  perceiving  his  advantage,  at 
once  threw  a  strong  force  against  the  exposed  flank,  necessitating 
a  change  of  front,  whicli  was  executed  in  an  orderly  manner, 
despite  the  rapid  and  destructive  lire  from  the  advancing  line.  A 
new  position  was  taken  up  some  three  hundred  yards  in  rear  of 
the  old,  one  wing  of  the  regiment  occupying  a  farm  house  and  its 
outbuildings,  and  the  other  resting  in  the  edge  of  the  timber. 
This  position  was  maintained  until  night,  when  orders  were  re 
ceived  to  return  to  camp." 

The  casualties  of  this  affair  were  :  — 


George  Jameson,  Pvt.  Co.  — 
George  W.  Shaw,  Pvt.  Co.  — 

WOUNDED. 

Harris  C.  Warren,        Pvt.  Co.  B  Koman/o  Stevens,        Pvt        Co    I 

Benjamin  L.  Leonard,  "  "  William  K.  Moore,         " 

William  II.  Prouty,      Corp.  Co.  C  George  Gavin,                               " 

John  Love,  Pvt  Frank  H.  Lowell,         Corp.    Co.  K 

Alfred  M.  Allen,           Corp.  Co.  G  Edwin  Pratt, 

William  McDaniels,      Pvt.  Co.  I  John  Adams,                Pvt. 

The  total  loss  of  the  First  Division  in  this  affair  was  three  killed 
and  thirteen  wounded,  all  but  two  being  in  the  Fifty-Seventh. 


*  This  was  situated  near  Hatcher's  Run  between  the  Vaughn  and  Squirrel  Level 
roads.— J.  A. 


POPLAR   GROVE    CHURCH. 


241 


The  troops  now  went  to  work  to  strengthen  the  position  they 
had  gained  along  the  "Welclon  Railroad  and  beyond,  to  within 
three  miles  of  the  South  Side  Railroad  and  about  one-half  from 
the  Boydton  plank  road.  Beyond  this,  and  along  Hatcher's  Run, 
the  enemy  had  constructed  strong  fortifications,  which  were 
defended  by  a  heavy  force.  Frequent  reconnoissances  were  made 
in  that  direction,  but  the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  were 
found  too  strong  for  direct  assault,  hence  General  Grant  deter 
mined  to  bring  a  sufficient  force  to  attack  the  enemy  here,  with 
the  ultimate  object  of  gaining  possession  of  the  South  Side  Rail 
road.  This  would  have  been  the  crowning  event  with  which  to 
close  the  summer's  campaign,  and  would  have  rendered  the  position 
of  the  Confederate  army  in  Petersburg  untenable  for  any  length 
of  time,  resulting,  most  likely,  to  their  withdrawal  within  the 
defences  of  Richmond. 

In  pursuance  of  this  plan  the  Federal  commander  gave  orders 
for  a  combined  movement  by  the  Second,  Fifth  and  Ninth  Corps, 
with  several  batteries  of  light  artillery  and  General  Gregg's 
division  of  cavalry.  The  movement  commenced  October  27th. 
The  Ninth  Corps  occupied  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  The 
Second  Corps  was  to  move  around  its  left  with  the  division  of 
cavalry  still  farther  to  the  left.  General  Grant's  instructions  to 
General  Meade  were  as  follows  :  l '  Make  your  preparations  to 
march  out  at  an  early  hour  on  the  27th  to  gain  possession  of 
the  South  Side  Railroad,  to  hold  it,  and  fortify  back  to  your 
present  left.  In  commencing  your  advance,  move  in  three 
columns,  exactly  as  proposed  by  yourself  in  our  conversation  of 
last  evening,  and  with  the  same  force  you  proposed  to  take. 
Parke  (Ninth  Corps),  who  starts  out  nearest  to  the  enemy,  should 
be  instructed  that,  if  he  finds  the  enemy  intrenched,  and  their 
works  well  manned,  he  is  not  to  attack,  but  confront  him  and  be 
prepared  to  advance  promptly  when  he  finds  that  by  the  movement 
of  the  other  two  columns  to  the  right  and  rear  of  them,  they 
begin  to  give  way." 

The  Ninth  Corps  moved  down  the  Squirrel  Level  road,  the 
First  Division  in  advance,  with  the  hope  of  surprising  the  enemy 
in  his  intrenchments  near  Hatcher's  Run.  It  was  thought  that 


16 


242 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


they  were  not  yet  complete  and  not  strongly  manned.  The  Fifth 
Corps  was  to  follow  up  the  movement  in  support  of  the  Ninth. 
If  the  latter  met  with  success,  the  Fifth  was  to  move  to  its  left  to 
operate  upon  the  enemy's  right,  but,  in  case  of  failure,  the  Ninth 
Corps  was  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  while  the  Fifth  was  to 
cross  Hatcher's  Run,  and  endeavor  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  at 
Burgess  Mill  on  the  Boydton  plank  road.  The  Second  Corps 
marched  by  the  Vaughn  road,  forded  Hatcher's  Run,  and  captured 
some  guns  and  a  few  prisoners.  It  is  not  our  design,  neither  will 
space  permit  our  giving  a  detailed  description  of  all  these  move 
ments  ;  suffice  it  to  say  that  everything  worked  in  harmony,  but 
the  movement  commenced  before  daylight  and  the  morning  was 
dark  and  rainy,  the  troops  had  to  move  over  narrow  cross-roads, 
through  dense  woods,  where  felled  timber  and  other  obstacles 
retarded  the  advance.  The  Ninth  and  Fifth  Corps  drove  in  the 
enemy's  pickets  and  continued  a  heavy  skirmishing.  The  Second 
Corps  attacked  further  to  the  left,  captured  several  guns  and 
prisoners.  Its  movements,  being  necessarily  slow,  gave  the 
enemy  time  to  concentrate  a  large  force  to  meet  it.  Becoming 
separated,  in  the  heavy  woods  and  swamps,  from  the  Fifth  Corps, 
the  enemy  made  an  attack  upon  its  right  and  even  gained  the  rear 
of  the  right,  capturing  some  guns,  but,  by  a  skillful  movement, 
the  front  was  changed  and  after  considerable  hard  fighting,  the 
enemy  was  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  several  guns,  prisoners  and 
colors.  The  fighting  fell  mostly  upon  the  Second  Corps,  which 
showed  that  its  old  spirit  was  not  yet  extinct  in  spite  of  drafted 
men  and  "bounty-jumpers."  Its  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and 
missing  was  about  sixteen  hundred.  That  of  the  Fifth  was  less 
than  three  hundred.  The  loss  of  the  Ninth  was  small.  The 
Fifty-Seventh  lost  but  one  man,  Corp.  William  Worthy,  Co.  G, 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  not  known,  but  supposed  to 
be  fully  equal  to  ours. 

The  position  of  the  enemy  was  found  everywhere  too  strong 
to  be  carried  by  assault.  Even  if  driven  from  one  line  of  in- 
trenchments,  it  would  be  at  a  heavy  loss,  and  then  he  had  others 
directly  in  rear  into  which  he  could  fall  back.  The  thickly 
wooded  country  rendered  it  easy  to  construct  defensive  works  in 


POPLAR    GROVE    CHURCH. 


243 


a  very  short  time.  The  nearest  point  reached  to  the  South  Side 
Railroad  was  about  six  miles,  every  rod  of  which  would  have  to 
be  gained  by  repeated  charges  over  strongly  defended  lines  of 
breastworks.  The  good  judgment  and  discretion  of  the  Federal 
commander  prevailed  and  further  offensive  movements,  in  that 
direction,  suspended.  The  morning  of  the  28th  found  the  two 
armies  occupying  relatively  the  same  positions.  The  Federal 
troops  were  finally  withdrawn  to  our  former  lines. 

The  several  engagements  described  in  this  chapter  have  all 
been  given  under  the  head  of  Poplar  Grove  Church.  They  are 
mentioned  in  the  Adjutant-General's  Report  of  Massachusetts, 
1864,  as  '^Poplar  Grove  Church,  Ya.,  September  30th;  Poplar 
Grove  Church  2d.  October  8th,  and  Poplar  Grove  Church  3d, 
October  28th."  The  above  includes  Pegram's  farm,  etc. 

This  closed  active  operations  as  far  as  the  Fifty-Seventh  was 
concerned,  and  early  in  December  the  regiment  moved  back  to 
the  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  commenced  building 
winter  quarters  near  the  ground  over  which  it  had  charged  on  the 
night  of  the  17th  of  June.  This  gave  assurance  of  a  winter  of 
comparative  rest  and  the  men  went  to  work  with  hearty  good  will, 
erecting  huts  of  rough,  unhewn  logs,  the  interstices  being  filled 
with  mud.  Bunks  were  constructed  inside,  of  green  branches, 
barrel  staves  or  cracker  boxes.  Chimneys  were  built  on  the  out 
side,  of  alternate  layers  of  sticks  and  clay,  the  tops  were  often 
crowned  with  old  barrels.  The  roofs  were  covered  with  old 
canvas  or  pieces  of  shelter  tents.  Many  were  constructed  quite 
ingeniously,  with  floors  of  old  scraps  of  boards  or  boxes.  These 
huts  were  generally  made  to  hold  four  men  or  more  and  were 
quite  comfortable ;  in  fact,  they  were  looked  upon  as  palatial, 
after  the  long  exposure  to  heat  and  cold  and  storms,  with  no 
sheltering  roofs  or  other  protection,  save  a  small  piece  of  canvas, 
about  three  feet  by  five  to  a  man,  and  not  always  that.  Tables 
and  chairs  were  improvised,  pictures  from  illustrated  papers  and 
photographs  of  friends  were  pasted  upon  the  inner  walls,  so  as  to 
present  quite  a  cheerful  and  artistic  appearance.  These  huts 
were  constructed  just  in  rear  of  the  line  of  iutrenchments,  which 
had  to  be  constantly  guarded  night  and  day,  besides  the  usual 


244 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


picket  duty.  Very  little  comfort  could  be  derived  from  this. 
It  was  the  same  old  routine  of  groups  of  three  or  four  men  in  a 
hole,  with  only  such  temporary  shelter  from  the  winter's  storms 
as  could  be  improvised  from  a  blanket  or  small  piece  of  canvas. 

As  winter  approached  there  was  less  firing  along  the  line  of 
pickets ;  both  sides  suffered  equally  from  this  annoyance,  which 
gave  no  advantage  to  either,  and  often  some  of  the  opposing 
pickets  would  meet  for  an  exchange  of  papers  or  coffee,  for  tobacco. 
This  practice  was  not  approved  by  the  officers,  as  it  tended  to 
make  men  less  careful  in  their  guard  duty.  All  such  meetings 
were  stealthily  made  when  the  eye  of  an  officer  was  closed,  or  busy 
elsewhere.  However,  they  never  failed  to  read  a  paper  obtained 
in  this  way.  This  was  more  objectionable  to  the  Confederates 
than  to  the  Federals.  As  the  former  met  his  Yankee  foe,  he 
found  him  comfortably  dressed  and  well  fed,  besides  inspired  with 
unshaken  confidence  in  the  final  success  of  the  Union  cause,  while 
he  looked  upon  himself  as  thinly  clad  and  poorly  fed.  It  has 
been  stated  that  in  a  secret  session  of  the  Confederate  Congress 
about  this  time,  the  condition  of  the  Confederacy,  as  to  subsistence, 
was  found  to  be  :  — 

"That  there  was  not  meat  enough  in  the  Southern  Confed 
eracy  for  the  armies  it  had  in  the  field. 

"  That  there  was  not  in  Virginia  either  meat  or  bread  enough 
for  the  armies  within  her  limits. 

' '  That  the  supply  of  bread  for  those  armies  to  be  obtained 
from  other  places  depended  absolutely  upon  keeping  open  the 
railroad  connections  of  the  South. 

"That  the  meat  must  be  obtained  from  abroad  through  a 
seaport. 

"  That  the  transportation  was  not  now  adequate,  from  what 
ever  cause,  to  meet  the  necessary  demands  of  the  service. 

"That  the  supply  of  fresh  meat  to  General  Lee's  army  was 
precarious,  and  if  the  army  fell  back  from  Richmond  and  Peters 
burg,  that  there  was  every  probability  that  it  would  cease 
altogether." 

Confederate  prisoners  who  were  captured  were  lacking  in 
sufficient  clothing,  and  what  they  did  have  was  generally  ragged 


POPLAR    GROVE    CHURCH.  245 

and  worn  threadbare,  while  the  food  found  in  their  haversacks  was 
of  the  coarsest  kind  and  very  meagre.  They  had  a  half -starved 
appearance  and  their  first  and  most  pressing  need  was  for  some 
thing  to  eat,  next,  something  comfortable  to  wear.  All  this  went 
to  confirm  the  foregoing  statement  and  to  prove  that  it  was  no 
exaggeration.  The  Confederate  prisoner  knew  all  this  because 
he  was  made  to  feel  it.  He  knew,  even  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  his 
condition  would  be  greatly  improved  in  every  respect,  and  finally 
he  reasoned  that  the  Confederate  cause  was  fast  approaching 
low-water  mark,  growing  weaker  month  by  month,  and  that  its 
complete  overthrow  was  but  a  question  of  time,  he  had  done 
his  full  duty  and  all  he  could  do.  The  glamour  of  war  as  it  had 
appeared  in  the  early  days  of  1861  was  losing  its  charm  ;  its  once 
dazzling  beauty  was  fast  fading,  while  the  boasted  glory  of  "  one 
Southerner  licking  a  dozen  Yankees  "  remained  in  doubtful  and 
still  greater  distant  peTspective  ;  it  had  not  been  realized.  The 
long-hoped-for  intervention  of  France  and  England  looked  more 
doubtful  than  ever.  Reasoning  thus,  very  many  of  the  Confed 
erates,  especially  the  conscripts,  deserted  the  sinking  Confederate 
Ship  of  State  and  came  into  our  lines.  As  the  old  year  1864 
passed  out  it  saw  the  hopes  of  one  side  growing  brighter,  while 
those  of  the  other  were  sinking  into  impenetrable  gloom.  Yet  if 
the  curtain  could  have  been  lifted  and  the  future  revealed  to  them 
in  all  its  truth,  it  would  have  disclosed  this  gloom  as  the  darkness 
preceding  the  dawn  of  a  brighter  day,  even  to  the  South,  than  she 
had  known  in  all  her  past  history ;  but  now  they  could  sing 
the  following  lines,  familiar  to  them,  in  both  the  spirit  and  the 
letter  :  - 

"  I  am  dying,  Egypt,  dying, 

Ebbs  the  crimson  life-tide  fast, 
And  the  dark  Plutonian  shadows 
Gather  on  the  evening  blast." 

During  the  remainder  of  the  year  the  Fifty- Seventh  suffered 
only  one  more  casualty,  that  of  Private  Cornelius  J.  Doherty,  Co. 
G,  who  was  wounded  December  7th  on  the  picket  line,  and  thus 
closed  .the  eventful  year  of  1864. 

We  have  not  been  able  and  have  not  tried  to  give  the  casual 
ties  caused  by  sickness,  only  those  of  battle. 


CHAPTER   XII. 


HATCHER'S   RUN. 

HE  beginning  of  the  year  1865  found  the  Ninth  Corps 
occupying  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  reaching  from  the  Appomattox  river 
in  a  southerly  direction,  a  distance  of  about  seven 
miles,  with  the  division  of  General  Wilcox  on  the  right. 
The  Confederate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  was  strongly 
posted  in  its  intrenchments,  with  Longstreet's  corps  on 
the  extreme  left,  from  the  Appomattox  to  White  Oak  Swamp 
north  of  the  James,  General  Gordon's  from  the  Appomattox,  facing 
the  Ninth  Corps,  to  Fort  Gregg,  and  A.  P.  Hill's  corps  from  Fort 
Gregg  to  Hatcher's  Run  on  the  extreme  Confederate  right,  cover 
ing  a  distance  of  thirty-seven  miles,  from  White  Oak  Swamp  on 
their  left,  to  the  Claiborne  Road  Crossing  of  Hatcher's  Run  on 
their  right.  To  guard  this  long  distance  they  had  an  effective 
infantry  force,  including  officers,  of  53,764,  as  shown  by 
their  return  of  Dec.  20th,  1864.  This  would  make  about  1,451 
infantry  to  each  mile  to  be  defended ;  but,  in  addition  to  this, 
they  had  a  strong  force  of  cavalry,  three  divisions  under  command 
of  Gen.  Wade  Hampton,  to  operate  on  their  flanks,  besides 
artillery  in  position  along  the  whole  length  of  the  line.  Their 
works  were  as  strong  as  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  engineering 
skill  could  make  them,  with  batteries  in  position  to  cover  every 
foot  of  ground  leading  to  their  approach ;  besides  this,  their  lines 
were  interior  and  much  shorter  than  the  Federal  line  of  approach, 
and  so  constructed  that  concentration  could  quickly  be  made 
upon  any  threatened  point.  We  have  not  the  figures  showing  the 
strength  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  that  time,  but  it  was  not 
far  from  seventy  thousand  infantry  in  the  trenches,  equipped 


248 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


for  duty.  The  figures  showing  the  Confederate  strength  do  not 
include  the  troops  in  and  around  Richmond  or  their  outlying 
detachments,  neither  do  the  others  include  the  Federal  Army  of 
the  James,  or  outlying  detachments.  It  is  impossible  to  give 
anything  but  an  approximate  estimate  of  the  strength  of  the  two 
armies,  as  detachments  were  being  constantly  sent  away  for  duty 
elsewhere  and  returning.  Confederate  morning  reports  of  Feb. 
20th,  18G5,  show  an  effective  force  of  all  arms  of  the  service, 
equipped  and  in  the  trenches  around  Petersburg,  of  about  55,500 
men. 

The  strength  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  eight  days  later, 
viz.  :  Feb.  28th,  1865,  according  to  morning  reports  of  that  date, 
was  87,268  total  present  for  duty,  the  proportion  in  favor  of  the 
Federals  being  just  about  87  to  55.  The  sick,  extra  duty  men 
and  outlying  detachments  would  probably  range  in  just  about  the 
same  ratio.  These  figures  are  compiled  from  "  The  Virginia 
Campaign  of  1864  and  1865,"  by  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys. 

During  the  winter  the  enemy's  iutrenchments  in  the  vicinity 
of  Hatcher's  Run  were  very  much  strengthened  and  heavy  guns 
placed  in  position.  It  wTas  found  that  the  South  Side  Railroad, 
upon  which  Lee's  army  depended  for  most  of  its  supplies,  was 
not  able  to  furnish  the  necessary  transportation,  hence  the  Con 
federates  utilized  the  Petersburg  and  Weldon  Railroad  as  far  as 
Hicksford,  just  below  where  the  road  had  been  destroyed  by  our 
troops,  and  from  that  point  transported  them  by  wagon  train 
around  to  Petersburg.  Although  it  was  in  the  middle  of  a  very 
cold  and  severe  winter,  yet  the  Federal  commander  issued  orders 
for  the  movement  of  troops  to  .intercept  this  line  of  transportation. 
On  the  5th  of  February,  General  Gregg,  with  one  division  of 
cavalry,  was  ordered  to  move  via  Ream's  Station  to  Dinwiddie 
Court  House  for  this  purpose.  General  Warren  with  the  Fifth 
Corps  and  General  Humphreys  with  two  divisions  of  the  Second 
Corps  were  ordered  to  support  this  movement  by  taking  position 
at  a  point  where  the  Vaughn  road  crosses  Hatcher's  Run,  beyond 
the  Confederate  right,  the  Fifth  Corps  at  a  point  about  half  way 
between  the  first  named  (Hatcher's  Run)  and  Dinwiddie  Court 
House.  This  movement  was  further  supported  by  the  Third 


HATCHER  S    I?UN. 


249 


Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps  under  General  Hartranft.  A  pro 
visional  brigade  was  formed  consisting  of  the  3d  Maryland, 
57th  Massachusetts,  with  some  other  regiments,  and  placed 
under  command  of  Colonel  Robinson,  3d  Maryland  Battalion,  to 
co-operate  in  this  movement,  and  make  a  strong  flank  attack 
upon  the  enemy's  right  and  their  fortifications  on  Hatcher's  Run. 
The  movement  of  General  Gregg  was  only  partially  successful. 
He  captured  a  few  wagons  and  prisoners  on  the  Boydton  plank 
road,  found  it  was  but  little  used,  and  set  out  upon  his  return  to 
Malone's  bridge  on  Rowanty  creek. 

The  infantry  made  a  reconnoissance  of  the  enemy's  position 
on  the  6th  and  found  him  strongly  posted  within  his  intreuch- 
ments.  Towards  night  the  enemy  made  an  attack  upon  our 
troops  but  was  repulsed.  The  Confederate  General  Pegram  was 
killed.  Some  spirited  fighting  took  place  on  the  7th.  The 
Federal  loss  during  the  engagement  was  about  fifteen  hundred, 
which  fell  mostly  upon  the  Fifth  Corps.  The  Confederate  loss 
was  supposed  to  be  about  the  same.  The  advantage  was  in  favor 
of  the  Federals  who  were  now  enabled  to  extend  their  line  of 
intrenchments  to  the  Vaughn  road  crossing  of  Hatcher's  Run. 
This  position  was  permanently  held  and  the  military  railroad 
which  ran  from  City  Point  along  in  rear  of  the  line  held  by  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  extended  to  that  point.  The  Fifth  Corps 
was  now  massed  in  rear  of  the  left.  The  Fifty-Seventh  was  not 
brought  into  this  engagement  but  returned  to  its  former  position 
on  the  10th,  The  weather  was  intensely  cold  and  the  troops 
suffered  severely  on  the  expedition.  Soon  after  this  many  of  the 
officers  of  the  Ninth  Corps  were  given  brevet  appointments  for 
gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  battle.  Col.  Napoleon  B. 
McLaughlen  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  was  appointed  brigadier-general 
by  brevet,  1st  Lieutenants  Albert  Doty  and  Henry  M.  Ide, 
captains  b}7  brevet. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


FORT   STEDMAN. 

HIS  battle  has  been  written  and  re-written  so  many 
times,  in  so  many  different  ways,  and  so  much  better 
than  we  can  expect  to  do  it  here,  that  it  would  seem 
hardly  worth  the  while  for  us  to  attempt  it,  except  as 
it  is  a  part  of  the  history  which  we  are  trying  to  write.  It 
has  been  freely  commented  upon  until  there  is  virtually 
nothing  more  of  general  interest  that  can  be  brought  out. 
Some  writers,  in  attempting  to  show  what  their  own  organizations 
did,  have  written  to  the  prejudice  of  others,  or  omitted  mention 
of  them  entirely.  The  statement  should  be  made,  from  the 
beginning,  that  all  the  troops  engaged  in  this  battle  did  well  and 
performed  their  duty  bravely.  Our  duty  in  the  present  case  is  to 
tell  the  story  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  which  we  shall 
endeavor  to  do  truthfully,  without  undue  praise,  or  prejudice  to 
any  other  regiment.  The  Fifty-Seventh  was  there,  actively 
engaged.  It  behaved  well  and  sustained  a  percentage  of  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded,  nearly,  if  not  quite,  equal  to  any  other 
organization. 

The  Confederate  attack  upon  Fort  Stedman  March  25th,  1865, 
was  a  brilliant  coiq>-de-main,  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  the 
Federals  at  the  explosion  of  the  mine  on  the  30th  of  July,  and, 
like  that,  resulted  in  failure  and  disaster  to  the  assailants,  though 
made  with  great  spirit  and  gallantry. 

Before  entering  into  a  description  of  this  affair,  a  few  words 
seem  necessary  by  way  of  explanation. 

The  situation  of  the  two  opposing  armies,  as  described  in 
the  previous  chapter,  had  not  materially  changed.  The  Army  of 
the  Potomac  was  feeling  secure  in  the  occupation  of  the  intrenched 


252 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


lines  around  Petersburg,  while  the  commanding  general  was  laying 
plans  and  making  preparations  for  an  early  move,  and  a  final  and 
decisive  effort  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  flank,  which,  it  was 
believed,  would  decide  the  long  pending  issue. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  General  Grant  issued  orders  for 
another  general  movement  to  the  left.  This  was  to  take  place 
on  the  9 th.  In  the  meantime  General  Lee  anticipated  his  adver 
sary,  by  making  a  bold  stroke  to  break  the  Federal  lines  towards 
the  right,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  capture  the  Federal  supplies,  get 
in  rear  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  cut  loose  from  Petersburg 
and  eventually  join  the  Confederate  army  under  General  Johnston 
in  North  Carolina.  The  Ninth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
held  the  extreme  right  of  the  line,  from  the  Appomattox  river  to 
Fort  Howard,  occupying  a  line,  the  front  of  which  was  over  seven 
miles.  The  corps  was  posted  with  the  First  Division  on  the  right, 
the  Second  on  the  left,  while  the  Third,  under  command  of  Gen 
eral  Hartranft,  occupied  commanding  positions  in  rear  as  reserve. 
The  colored  division  had  been  previously,  November,  1864, 
transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  James  under  General  Butler. 
The  First  Division,  General  Wilcox,  was  disposed  as  follows  :  the 
Second  Brigade,  Colonel  Ely,  on  the  right,  its  right  resting  on  the 
river  and  extending  nearly  to  Battery  No.  9  ;  the  Third  Brigade, 
Bvt.  Brig. -Gen.  N.  B.  McLaughlen  commanding,  from  this  point 
to  Fort  Haskell,  and  the  First  Brigade,  Col.  Samuel  Harriman 
commanding,  continued  the  line  to  Fort  Meikle ;  the  First  Divi 
sion  covering  a  distance  something  over  three  miles.  It  is  not 
essential  that  we  give  the  disposition  of  the  several  brigades  of 
the  other  two  divisions,  as  the  positions  held  by  them  were  not 
assailed. 

Commencing  on  the  right,  the  Federals  had  batteries  in  posi 
tion,  numbered  in  numerical  order,  towards  the  left,  and  protected 
on  the  side  towards  the  enemy  with  an  embankment  of  earth,  but 
left  open  in  rear,  while  bastioned  works,  called  forts,  were  con 
structed  in  commanding  positions  along  the  line.  Thus  we  had 
Fort  McGilvery  on  the  right,  then  Fort  Stedman  a  mile  to  the 
left,  and  Fort  Haskell  about  half  a  mile  still  further  to  the  left. 
Fort  Stedman  could  hardly  be  called  a  bastioned  work.  It  had 


FORT   STEDMAN. 


253 


formed  part  of  the  Confederate  defenses  which  had  been  captured 
from  them  in  the  assaults  made  the  previous  June,  had  been 
hastily  remodelled,  and  was  at  the  time  of  which  we  are  writing, 
garrisoned  by  eight  companies  of  the  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artil 
lery  under  command  of  Maj.  George  M.  Randall;  the  19th  New 
York  Light  Battery,  four  twelve-pounders,  with  some  Coehorn 
mortars,  along  that  portion  of  the  line  manned  by  the  1st  Con 
necticut  Heavy  Artillery.  Fort  Stedman  formed  a  salient  not 
more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  Confederate 
intreuchments,  so  near  that  the  necessary  work  for  keeping  it  in 
repair  or  strengthening  it  could  only  be  done  under  cover  of  dark 
ness.  Anything  of  the  kind  during  the  day  would  draw  the  fire 
of  the  enemy.  It  covered  over  half  an  acre  of  ground  and  was 
connected  with  the  rest  of  the  line  by  infantry  parapets  and  pro 
tected  in  front  by  abatis.  Its  projection  was  such  that  if  any 
portion  of  the  line  to  the  right  or  left  should  be  carried  by  the 
enemy,  a  flank  and  rear  fire  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  it,  and 
it  could  also  bring  a  front  and  flank  fire  upon  an  enemy  charging 
in  front. 

The  object  of  the  enemy  was  to  break  through  the  Federal 
line  to  the  right,  and  then  take  Fort  Stedman  in  reverse  and  clear 
a  sufficient  space  to  the  right  and  left  of  it  to  permit  the  passage 
of  the  remainder  of  their  army.  In  speaking  of  the  line,  it  must 
be  remembered  that  it  was  not  one  straight  line,  but  a  general  one 
composed  of  straight  and  curved  lines.  Many  of  the  batteries, 
although  on  the  general  line,  were  to  the  rear  of  its  general 
conformation,  so  that  a  fire  from  them  could  be  brought  to  bear 
upon  other  portions  of  our  own  line.  Proceeding  towards  the  left 
from  Fort  McGilvery,  we  find  Batteries  Nos.  8  and  9.  Just  to 
the  right  of  Fort  Stedman,  and  but  a  few  yards  distant,  was 
Battery  No.  10,  while  to  the  left  of  it,  and  between  Fort  Haskell, 
were  Batteries  Nos.  11  and  12,  all  defended  by  light  batteries, 
and  mounting  Coehorn  mortars,  with  a  thin  line  of  infantry  in- 
trenchments.  The  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  occupied  a  posi 
tion  just  to  the  right  and  rear  of  Fort  Stedman  and  Battery  No. 
10.  The  latter  was  occupied  by  one  section  of  the  14th  Massa 
chusetts  Battery. 


254 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


Previous  to  this  time  an  order  had  been  issued  by  the  com 
manding  general  allowing  deserters  to  come  into  our  lines,  bring 
ing  their  arms  with  them,  and  offering  to  purchase  the  same. 
Under  the  provisions  of  this  order  deserters  were  coming  over  and 
surrendering  to  the  number  of  over  fifty  per  day.  They  were 
first  examined  by  the  officer  on  the  picket  line  and  then  sent  to 
the  rear.  The  enemy  saw  in  this  a  favorable  opportunity  of 
gaining  possession  of  our  picket  line  without  causing  a  general 
alarm,  from  whence  he  could  stealthily  advance,  under  cover  of 
darkness,  and  surprise  the  troops  in  our  main  works.  He  there 
fore  concentrated  a  large  force  for  this  perilous  undertaking, 
which  was  placed  under  command  of  Gen.  John  B.  Gordon,  one 
of  the  ablest  and  most  daring  of  the  Confederate  generals.  The 
assaulting  column  was  composed  of  his  own  corps,  formerly 
Swell's,  writh  part  of  Longstreet's  and  A.  P.  Hill's  corps,  num 
bering  in  all  about  ten  thousand  men,  with  a  still  larger  force 
massed  behind,  which  was  to  support  the  movement  and  advance 
as  soon  as  a  sufficient  space  had  been  cleared  to  admit  of  their 
passage. 

About  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  March  25th  the  move 
ment  commenced.  The  storming  party  was  preceded  by  a  large 
number  of  men  who  were  taken  to  be  deserters.  They  came  in 
such  large  numbers  that  the  officer  of  the  guard  was  unable  to 
send  them  to  the  rear,  so  that  they  were  retained  on  the  picket 
line.  These  pretended  deserters  soon  overpowered  our  pickets 
and  thus  gained  possession  of  about  half  a  mile  of  our  picket  line. 
They  were  immediately  followed  by  a  body  of  picked  men  and 
the  latter  by  the  main  force,  under  General  Gordon,  in  three 
columns.  One  was  to  push  directly  to  the  rear  and  seize  the 
batteries  beyond,  while  the  other  two  were  to  move  to  our  right 
and  left.  The  enemy's  left  column  soon  gained  Battery  No. 
10,  taking  it  completely  by  surprise.  No  alarm  up  to  this  time 
had  been  sounded,  and  only  one  gun  was  fired  from  the  battery. 
The  blow  then  fell  upon  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  which 
was  driven  back  with  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  and  a 
large  number  captured.  The  morning  was  so  dark  that  friend 
could  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  foe,  save  by  the  light  of  the 


FORT    STEDMAN. 


255 


flashing  guns.  The  opening  made  by  the  capture  of  Battery 
No.  10  now  admitted  the  main  force  of  the  assaulting  column, 
part  of  which  turned  to  the  right  and  part  to  the  left,  and  pro 
ceeded  in  the  execution  of  their  plan  of  driving  our  troops  from 
the  trenches.  The  guns  from  Battery  No.  10  were  turned  upon 
Fort  Stedman  and  an  attack  was  also  made  upon  it  from  the 
rear.  After  a  stubborn  resistance  this  also  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy ;  some  of  its  defenders  escaping  through  the  covered 
way  to  Fort  Haskell  and  some  were  taken  prisoners.  Battery 
No.  11  soon  shared  the  same  fate.  The  troops  fought  gallantly, 
but  nothing  could  check  the  impetuous  charge  of  this  large  body 
of  desperate,  brave  men,  until  Fort  Haskell  was  reached.  By 
this  time  the  Federal  troops  had  recovered  from  the  first  shock 
and  from  their  surprise,  and  were  bringing  other  troops  forward, 
not  only  to  oppose  the  further  advance  of  the  Confederates,  but 
to  make  a  counter-attack.  It  was  a  moment  of  great  danger, 
when  time  again  became  an  important  factor,  and  was  improved 
by  the  Federals 

The  left  Confederate  column  faced  to  the  left  and  moved 
rapidly  up  the  line  towards  our  right.  After  the  Fifty- Seventh 
had  been  driven  back,  it  next  encountered  the  2d  Michigan, 
which  was  thrown  into  the  same  confusion,  and  the  enemy  pushed 
on  to  Battery  No.  9.  Here  they  met  with  a  strong  resistance, 
while  the  guns  of  Fort  McGilvery  were  pouring  a  destructive  fire 
upon  them.  The  First  Brigade,  Colonel  Ely,  formed  a  line 
perpendicular  to  the  trenches,  facing  the  charging  enemy,  and 
in  connection  with  Batteries  5  and  9  and  Fort  McGilvery, 
repulsed  the  assault  upon  Battery  9,  thus  effectually  checking  a 
further  advance  towards  our  right.  The  greater  part  of  the 
Third  Brigade  had  also  formed  a  perpendicular  line  at  Fort 
Haskell,  facing  Fort  Stedman. 

As  the  Fifty- Seventh  was  forced  back  it  took  direction 
towards  the  crest  in  rear  overlooking  Fort  Stedman,  moving  back 
without  confusion,  and  making  four  stands  behind  small  detached 
works  that  had  been  abandoned,  against  a  -largely  superior  force, 
and  fighting  desperately,  losing  seven  officers  and  eighty-two 
enlisted  men.  As  the}7  were  flanked  out  of  one  position  they  fell 


256  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

back  to  another,  until  they  made  a  final  stand  behind  an  old 
abandoned  rebel  fort  known  as  Dunn  House  Battery,  near  the 
Prince  George  Court  House  road.  Their  stubborn  resistance  while 
falling  back,  temporarily  held  the  rebel  column  in  check,  which  was 
pressing  forward  to  the  rear  of  our  lines  and  threatening  our 
detached  batteries,  thus  giving  General  Hartrauft  time  to  concen 
trate  the  Third  Division,  and  Colonel  Tidball,  in  charge  of  the 
artillery,  to  bring  up  batteries  and  place  them  in  position  at  the 
threatened  point.  This  opposed  an  insurmountable  barrier  to 
the  further  advance  of  the  enemy  upon  the  rear  of  our  works  and 
the  supplies  that  were  stored  at  Meade's  Station  on  the  military 
railroad.  The  Confederate  troops  had  now  been  effectually 
checked  on  all  sides. 

General  Hartranft,  having  been  early  apprised  of  what  was 
taking  place,  and  the  alarming  condition  of  affairs,  promptly 
concentrated  his  division  on  the  elevated  ground  in  rear  of  Fort 
Stedman,  and  advanced  upon  the  enemy,  connecting  with  the 
Third  Brigade  on  the  left  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  small 
space  on  his  right,  forming  a  complete  cordon  of  bristling  steel 
around  the  Confederate  troops  that  had  broken  through  our  lines, 
and  extinguishing  their  last  hope  of  success.  There  only  re 
mained  the  intervening  space  over  which  they  had  first  made  the 
assault,  and  our  artillery  had  a  cross  fire  upon  that,  making  a 
retreat  perilous,  while  batteries  were  pouring  a  concentrated  fire 
upon  them  as  they  gathered  in  and  around  Fort  Stedman.  The 
Confederate  position  was  something  like  that  of  the  Federals  in 
the  crater  on  the  30th  of  July  previous. 

They  were  now  vigorously  attacked  from  the  three  sides. 
Batteries  Nos.  10  and  11  were  soon  recovered  by  the  29th  and 
59th  Massachusetts,  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  with  some 
Pennsylvania  troops  and  the  3d  Maryland,  while  General  Hartranft 
was  charged  with  the  duty  of  recapturing  Fort  Stedman.  As  our 
troops  pushed  forward,  the  enemy,  stubbornly  contesting  every 
foot  of  ground,  fell  back  to  Fort  Stedman.  The  Fifty- Seventh 
was  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  front  of  part  of  the  Third  Division 
and  moved  forward.  The  enemy's  skirmishers  were  soon  en 
countered  and  driven  back.  Several  charges  were  made  and 


FORT   STEDMAX. 


257 


finally  the  fort  was  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  and  a 
hand-to-hand  struggle  followed,  which  soon  resulted  in  such  of 
the  enemy  who  could  and  dared  to  take  the  risk,  making  their 
escape,  while  the  others  laid  down  their  arms  and  surrendered. 
All  the  ground  that  had  been  lost  was  now  recaptured,  and  the 
Confederates,  after  about  four  hours  of  gallant  fighting,  counted 
their  loss  as  1,949  prisoners,  with  an  unknown  loss  (reported  by 
Fitzhugh  Lee  at  about  one  thousand)  of  killed  and  wounded. 
General  Humphreys  estimates  their  aggregate  loss  in  this  day's 
operations  as  nearly  four  thousand.  They  also  left  in  our  hands 
a  large  number  of  small  arms  and  nine  stands  of  colors,  a  loss 
they  could  poorly  afford,  falling,  as  it  did,  upon  the  very  flower 
of  that  brave  army,  which  was  fast  being  crowded  into  "the 
last  ditch." 

The  Federal  loss  was  not  nearly  so  great.  It  fell  most 
heavily  upon  the  Ninth  Corps,  which  had  494  killed  and  wounded 
and  523  taken  prisoners,  a  total  of  1,017. 

The  Second  Corps,  taking  advantage  of  the  Confederate 
disaster  at  Stedmau,  attempted  an  assault  upon  the  enemy's  line 
further  to  the  left,  in  hopes  of  finding  it  weakened  by  troops  that 
had  been  sent  to  support  General  Gordon.  This  counter-attack 
failed  to  carry  the  main  line,  which  was  still  held  in  force  by  the 
corps  of  General  Hill,  but  after  severe  fighting,  the  intrenched 
picket  line  was  carried  and  held  permanently,  although  the  enemy 
made  several  desperate  attempts  to  recapture  it,  but  were  driven 
back  each  time  with  severe  loss.  The  Second  Corps  lost  a  total 
of  690  men.  The  Sixth  Corps  also  captured  the  enemy's  intrenched 
picket  line,  inflicting  a  considerable  loss  and  sustaining  one  in 
return  of  about  400.  The  total  loss  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
for  this  day  was  something  like  2,100,  that  of  the  Confederates 
about  4,000.  This  includes  their  loss  at  Stedman. 

Returning  again  to  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  at  Fort 
Stedman.  The  men  of  this  regiment  were  among  the  first  to 
enter  the  recaptured  works,  and  it  wras  the  sergeant-major  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh,  afterwards  Lieutenant  Pinkham,  who  captured  the 
flag  of  the  57th  North  Carolina  Confederate  regiment,  which  made 
the  honors  easy  for  the  flag  lost  by  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachu- 


258 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


setts  in  the  crater.  The  sergeant  who  carried  the  colors  of  the 
57th  North  Carolina  was  found  lying  near  them,  having  been 
killed  in  their  defense,  and,  as  he  no  doubt  honestly  believed, 
manfully  battling  in  defence  of  his  country. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Tucker,  commanding  the  regiment,  was 
absent  at  the  time  as  Division  Officer  of  the  Day,  hence  the  com 
mand  fell  upon  the  fighting  Major  Doherty,  who  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  engagement  and  survived  only  one  day.  More 
can  be  said  of  his  bravery  than  pen  can  accurately  portray.  He 
was  rather  brusque  in  appearance  and  often  emphatic  in  speech, 
yet  he  had  a  heart  as  warm  and  true  and  brave  as  ever  beat  in 
human  breast.  He  was  always  spoken  of  as  the  "  brave  Doherty," 
and  was  one  who  never  knew  fear,  or  was  ever  known  to  falter 
or  flinch  in  the  face  of  danger.  Upon  the  battlefield  he  was  like 
a  raging  lion.  Military  in  all  his  bearing,  we  well  remember 
him  in  the  uniform  coat,  which  he  always  wore  closely  buttoned 
around  him  in  battle.  It  had  been  pierced  with  several  bullets, 
while  he  seemed  to  bear  a  charmed  life,  and  had  escaped  injury 
up  to  the  first  charge  in  front  of  Petersburg,  June  17th,  mentioned 
in  a  previous  chapter,  where  one  hand  was  badly  mangled  by  a 
canister  shot.  He  was  an  erratic  sort  of  a  man  of  whom  nearly 
every  one  who  knew  him  had  some  amusing  story  to  tell.  He 
was  capital  stock  to  draw  on,  because  almost  incredible  stories 
could  be  told  of  him,  which  were  absolutely  true.  Chaplain 
Dashiell  gives  a  brief  account  of  the  circumstances  attending  his 
death:  "Major  James  Doherty  was  brought  into  the  hospital 
mortally  wounded.  The  chaplain  told  him  his  condition  and 
asked  him  what  he  should  write  to  his  wife.  He  replied,  '  Tell 
the  poor  little  thing  that  I  die  like  a  man.'  He  lingered  in 
great  pain  several  hours,  telling  the  chaplain  who  pressed  upon 
him  the  gracious  offer  of  salvation  through  Christ,  that  he  could 
not  insult  the  Saviour  by  offering  him  the  '  dregs  of  his  life.'  ' 

Doherty  was  the  ideal  of  soldierly  courage.  A  brother 
officer  who  served  with  him  in  the  1st  Massachusetts,  said  that 
at  Gettysburg  he  commanded  a  part  of  the  skirmish  line,  which 
was  trying  to  impede  the  advance  of  the  rebels,  when  his  men 
began  to  fall  back  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts  to  hold  them  to  their 


FORT    STEDMAN.  ^Ot» 

work.  Furious  and  exhausted,  he  was  overheard  saying:  "  O 

God,  do  help  us  to  whip  these  d d  rebels."  In  a  charge  his 

flaming  sword  was  always  in  the  van,  and  his  voice  could  be 
heard  above  the  din  of  battle  cheering  his  men  to  the  conflict. 
He  was  affectionately  touched  by  the  tender  care  and  solicitude 
of  the  chaplain,  and  as  he  breathed  his  last,  pathetically  exclaimed, 
"God  bless  you,  Chaplain." 

We  cannot  look  into  the  future  and  perceive  all  the  mysteri 
ous  wonders  that  4t  eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear  heard,"  and  can 
conceive  but  little  through  an  indwelling  faith  that  it  is  "a  laud 
that  is  fairer  than  this";  and  when  we  read  of  the  woman  who 
was  made  whole  only  by  touching  the  hem  of  His  garment,  we 
must  believe  that  somehow  and  in  some  way  the  inspiration  which 
spoke  the  words,  "  I  cannot  insult  the  Saviour  by  offering  him 
the  dregs  of  my  life,"  touched  the  hem  of  that  invisible  garment 
of  mercy  and  pardon,  and  that  our  brave  comrade  who  won  the 
soldiers'  love  and  "died  like  a  man"  in  defence  of  his  country, 
also  won  a  merciful  Saviour's  love  and  a  title  clear  to  an  immortal 
life. 

Sergt.  William  F.  Oakes  writes  of  his  being  with  Major 
Doherty  when  he  was  wounded,  and  his  thrilling  experience  in 
that  memorable  battle.  Writing  of  what  took  place  in  the  camp  of 
the  Fifty-Seventh,  he  says  ....  "I  turned  around  for  a  moment 
and  saw  Major  Doherty  lying  on  his  back.  I  went  to  him  and 
asked  if  he  were  wounded.  Looking  up,  he  replied  that  he 
had  received  his  death- wound.  Lieutenant  Hitchcock  and  I  carried 
him  to  his  tent  and  laid  him  on  his  bed  and  I  loosened  his  belt. 
He  asked  me  to  take  what  things  he  had  about  him  and  give  them 
to  his  wife.  I  had  just  taken  his  watch  and  money  and  put  them 
in  my  pocket  when  the  '  rebs ',  having  driven  our  men  back,  came 
into  the  Major's  tent  and  said  to  me,  '  Surrender,  you—  — Yan 
kee,  or  we  will  blow  you  through.'  Seeing  a  dozen  rifles  pointed  at 
my  head,  I  surrendered.  I  had  a  heavy  ring  on  my  finger  which 
they  soon  discovered  and  tried  to  wrench  off,  but,  as  my  hand  had 
become  considerably  swollen,  they  were  unable  to  do  so.  One 
took  out  his  knife  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  it  off,  when  a  rebel 
colonel  came  into  the  tent  and  caused  them  to  desist,  and  sent  me 


260  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

to  the  Confederate  line,  under  charge  of  a  sergeant,  as  a  prisoner. 
We  met  several  squads  of  Confederate  soldiers  who  would  have 
robbed  me,  only  for  the  protection  I  received  from  the  sergeant. 
It  seemed  almost  a  miracle  that  we  reached  their  lines  alive,  as 
the  shells  from  our  own  side  were  falling  and  bursting  all  around 
us.  I  met  General  McLaughlen,  who  was  also  a  prisoner,  in 
Petersburg,  and  thinking  Major  Doherty's  watch  and  money 
would  be  safer  with  him  than  me,  I  gave  them  to  him.  Just  before 
leaving  the  Major  in  his  tent,  he  asked  me  to  tell  his  wife  that  he 
died  like  a  hero,  and  to  tell  the  men  that  he  died  fighting  like  a 
soldier." 

Col.  Thomas  William  Clarke  relates  the  following  of  Major 
James  Doherty :  "  He  had  served  in  the  1st  Massachusetts  and 
had  distinguished  himself  for  that  kind  of  courage  and  ability  in 
the  management  of  men,  which  makes  a  man  successful  as  a  line 
officer  of  volunteers.  He  had  also  worn  the  red  flannel  shirt  and 
bed-ticking  trousers  and  straw  hat  of  Walker's  Filibusters  in 
Nicaraugua,  and  rendered  himself  so  noticeable  there  that  he  had 
impressed  himself  upon  Doctor  Whelpley,  surveyor-general  under 
Walker,  who  told  me  one  or  two  anecdotes  about  him.  Although 
Doherty  had  been  only  a  private  soldier,  he  was  a  captain  in 
the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  when  the  battle  of  the  Wilder 
ness  took  .place  and  where  the  regiment  suffered  severely,  marching 
out  the  next  morning  with  considerably  reduced  ranks.  A  surgeon 
rode  up  to  see  the  regiment  on  the  march,  and  noticing  Doherty 
marching  along  very  cheerfully,  said  to  him  :  <  Captain  Doherty, 
Wilcox,  of  your  company,  died  last  night  in  the  hospital,  of  his 
wounds,  and  I  was  able  to  have  him  buried  in  the  yard  of  the 
house  we  used  as  a  hospital,  and  had  a  piece  of  board  stuck  up  at 
the  head  of  the  grave,  on  which  the  name  of  his  company  and 
regiment  were  marked,  so  that  his  body  can  be  recovered  if  desir 
able.'  This  of  course  was  intended  to  make  a  good  impression 
upon  the  men  and  show  that  they  were  not  entirely  deserted  and 
thrown  away,  but  Doherty  turned  on  the  doctor  and  said :  '  Are 
you  quite  sure  of  what  you  say,  Doctor?'  'Certainly,'  said  the 
doctor,  *  quite  sure.'  '  Are  you  sure  it  was  Wilcox?  '  '  Certainly, 
Captain  Doherty,  don't  you  suppose  I  know  Wilcox,  often  as  he 


FORT    STEDMAN. 


261 


has  been  up  to  sick  call  in  the  morning?'  '  Well,  Doctor,'  said 
Doherty,  '  it's  all  right  if  yon  say  so.'  Turning  to  his  company, 
he  said:  '  Wilcox,  turn  in  3-0111'  gun  and  equipments  to  the  1st 
sergeant,  go  back  to  the  hospital  and  crawl  into  that  grave. 
What  in  -  -  do  you  suppose  I'm  made  of  that  you,  a  dead  man, 
dare  to  march  around  in  the  ranks  of  this  company?  Don't  you 
hear  the  doctor  say  you  are  officially  dead?  Get  out  of  here." 

1st  Lieut.  Albert  M.  Murdock  was  also  killed  in  this  engage 
ment.  He  was  a  promising  young  man  of  but  nineteen  years,  of 
excellent  attainments,  both  in  his  personal  character  and  bearing 
as  a  soldier,  qualities  that  endeared  him  to  both  officers  and  men, 
winning  their  confidence  and  esteem.  He  had  just  reached  that 
stage  of  life  when  all  the  hopes  and  aspirations  seem  so  full  of 
promise.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Cyrus  M.  Murdock  of  West 
Boylston,  a  southern  boy  by  birth,  having  been  born  in  Arkansas, 
where  his  father  resided  for  twenty  years.  He  was  sent  north  to 
school  about  three  or  four  years  before  the  outbreak  of  the  war, 
and  was  for  some  time  a  member  of  the  Highland  Military  Academy 
in  the  city  of  Worcester,  Mass.  At  the  very  beginning  of  the 
war.  though  a  schoolboy  of  only  sixteen,  he  was  ambitious  to 
serve  his  country  as  a  soldier,  but  was  then  too  young.  Upon  the 
organization  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  he  obtained  permission  from 
his  father  and  enlisted  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  Jan.  llth,  1864, 
and  was  soon  after  appointed  sergeant-major,  a  position  for 
which  he  was  well  qualified  and  which  he  filled  with  honor  to  him 
self  and  credit  to  the  service.  He  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness  and  thereby  disabled  from  active  duty 
for  several  mouths.  Upon  his  recovery  he  returned  to  the  regi 
ment  and  was  appointed  1st  lieutenant,  to  date  from  Oct.  17th, 
1864,  and  was  in  command  of  his  company  at  Fort  Stedman.  As 
he  saw  the  color  sergeant  fall,  he  seized  the  standard  and  while 
bearing  it  aloft,  and  cheering  his  men  forward,  fell  with  a  mortal 
wound  and  soon  expired.  "  Take  care  of  the  flag,"  were  his  last 
words,  as  he  handed  it  to  a  brother  officer  who  stood  near  him. 
This  flag  was  stained  with  his  own  life's  blood  and  torn  by  hostile 
shot.  Chaplain  Dashiell  took  a  clipping  from  it,  which  he  still 
retains  and  prizes  very  highly. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Thousands  of  such  noble  young  lives  were  given  in  defence 
of  our  country.  Such  heroic  deaths  were  the  sacrifices  made  that 
our  country  might  live.  Their  memory  is  cherished  as  one  of 
those  priceless  treasures  which  make  our  country's  flag  so  dear  to 
those  who  helped  in  defending  it.  May  those  brave  words,  "  Take 
care  of  the  flag,"  be  passed  down  from  generation  to  generation, 
from  sire  to  son,  to  inspire  the  hearts  of  all  who  are  yet  to  live 
to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  our  reunited  country,  and  live  in  peace 
beneath  the  protecting  folds  of  the  dear  old  flag. 

The  remains  of  Lieutenant  Murdock  were  conveyed  to  his 
home  in  West  Boylston,  Mass.,  and  buried  with  military  honors. 
The  State  Guards  from  Worcester,  under  command  of  Captain 
Phillips,  were  in  attendance,  also  several  members  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  regiment. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  lost  in  the  battle  Lieut.  Albert  M. 
Murdock,  killed,  and  Maj.  James  Doherty  mortally  wounded; 
Lieuts.  Edward  F.  Potter  and  James  Peacock  wounded,  the  latter 
severely.  The  following  is  a  list  of  enlisted  men  killed,  wounded 
and  missing :  — 


KILLED . 


Frederick  S.  Cheney,  Corp.  Co.  C 
Edwin  Cudworth,  Pvt.  Co.  E 
Ozro  A.  Brigham, 


Frederick  W.  Parks, 
James  Leslie, 


Pvt.      Co.  F 
Co.  G 


John  S.  Mills, 
Gusta  Beltran, 
James  Walsh, 
Caleb  S.  Austin, 
Warren  E.  Brewer, 
Charles  B.  Graves, 
Charles  L.  Defose,  1st 
James  Norway, 
George  H.  Sears, 
H.  H.  Paine,  1st 

W.  H.  Duncan, 
Charles  E.  Barnard, 

1st 
Albert  M.  Nickerson, 


WOUNDED. 

Corp.    Co.  A  James  Carey,  Pvt.      Co.  F 

Pvt.  Alfred  E.  Gore, 

Patrick  Portland, 

;t         Co.  B  George  Adams,       1st  Sergt,  Co.  G 

"  George  M.  Wakeman,  Pvt.      Co.  H 

11  George  H.  Wellman,       "  " 

Sergt.  Co.  C  Thomas  J.  Tourtellott,  " 

Pvt.          'l  Edward  P.  Taft, 

Co.  D  W.  R.  Williams,     1st  Sergt    Co.    I 

Sergt.  Co.  E  John  A.  Miller,  Corp.    Co.  K 

Pvt.  Henry  H.  Perry,  Pvt. 

Sanborn  O.  Howe,  "  " 

Sergt.  Co.  F  Smith  J.  Lee, 

Corp.        "  Lafayette  Stickney,         " 


FORT    STEDMAX. 


263 


Col.  N.  B.  McLaughlen. 

1st  Lieut. 


MISSING. 

Capt.  Henry  C.  Ward 
Thomas  Sturals. 


Alexander  Bedreaux,    Pvt.      Co.  A 

Augustus  Claiiguin,         " 

Patrick  Delaney, 

Patrick  Doherty, 

William  J.  Roper 

Harris  C.  Warren,  "•         Co.  B 

Patrick  Galleu,  Corp.    Co.  C 

Anson  J.  Bishop,  Pvt. 

Gustavus  S.  Holden,       '' 

William  Kyle, 

John  Murphy, 

Jacob  Meatte,  " 

George  Willis, 

Martin  McMahon,         Mus'n  Co.  1) 

Patrick  Flynn,  Pvt. 

Peter  J.  Mambert, 

John  O'Sullivan, 

Alexander  McCoy,        Corp.    Co.  E 

James  Sullivan,  Mus'n       " 

Otis  C.  Xorcross,          Pvt.          '' 

John  Casey,  Pvt.      Co.  F 

John  Conghlin,  " 

George  K.  Edgecomb,     lt  u 

Edward  Pine, 

Michael  McGown,  " 


Henry  E.  Hutchins,      Sergt.  Co.  G 

John  Smith,  Corp. 

Charles  Hamlin, 

Charles  H.  Barton,       Pvt. 

William  E.  Cleveland,    " 

Humphrey  Connor, 

Lewis  Mountain,  "  " 

George  A   Monroe, 

Oscar  B.  Phelps, 

Frederick  P,  Hutchins,  "         Co.  II 

James  H.  Raymond, 

Joseph  L.  Cummings,     " 

Loren  S.  Holmes,          Mus'n  Co.    I 

William  Maguire,          Pvt.          " 

Warren  W.  Wheeler,      " 

John  Snow,  "  •' 

William  Shaftoe,  Sergt.  Co.  K 

William  F.  Oakes, 

Frank  H.  Lowell,          Corp.        " 

George  T.  Pickett, 

Frank  Allcott,  Pvt. 

Samuel  H.Holyoke,          " 

Alonzo  R.  Mason,  " 

William  Pike, 


The  regiment  went  into  the  engagement  with  11  officers  and 
206  men,  and  lost  7  officers  and  82  enlisted  men,  being  nearly 
64  per  cent  of  officers  and  nearly  41  of  enlisted  men.  In  killed 
and  wounded  32  4-10  per  cent  of  officers,  and  15  5-10  per  cent 
enlisted  men. 

As  we  said  of  the  crater,  so  we  say  of  Fort  Stedman.  The 
assailants  did  all  that  brave  men  could  do  to  win  success,  but  the 
difficulties  they  had  to  contend  with  were  absolutely  insurmount- 
,able.  They  made  repeated  assaults  upon  Fort  Haskell  only  to  be 
repulsed.  Every  attempt  to  advance  and  gain  a  permanent 
foothold  in  our  works  beyond,  and  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
captured  fort,  resulted  in  failure.  Finally  General  Gordon,  the 


264 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


Confederate  commander,  attempted  to  rally  and  re- form  his 
troops  in  rear  of  Fort  Stedman,  where  his  columns  had  been 
united  as  they  were  driven  back,  but  it  was  not  yet  light,  the 
Federal  troops  were  pressing  him  from  three  sides,  with  the  bat 
teries  dropping  shells  into  their  midst  like  falling  stars.  Under 
these  conditions  it  was  impossible  to  restore  order.  Every 
moment  the  confusion  became  greater  on  their  side  and  less  upon 
our  own.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  take  Fort  Haskell  in 
reverse,  as  Fort  Stedman  had  been  taken.  This  might  possibly 
have  succeeded  early  in  the  engagement,  but  in  the  darkness,  to 
accomplish  anything  through  the  intricate  entanglements  of  our 
works,  was  impossible.  What  they  needed  most  was  daylight  and 
a  pocket  guide  for  each  man. 

General  McLaughlen,  commanding  the  Third  Brigade  of  the 
First  Division,  entered  Fort  Stedman  and  commenced  to  give 
orders  to  the  Confederate  troops,  thinking  they  were  men  of  his 
own  command.  He  discovered  his  mistake  only  when  he  was 
taken  prisoner. 

The  Fifty- Seventh  had  to  move  out  of  their  camp  rather 
unceremoniously  and  were  not  given  time  to  pack  their  effects,  in 
consequence  of  which  both  officers  and  men  lost  nearly  everything 
they  had  except  the  clothing  they  wore. 

This  must  have  been  a  grand  treat  for  the  ragged,  half- 
starved  Confederates  who  had  not  partaken  of  a  good,  square 
meal  for  a  long  time ;  and  then  they  ought  to  have  felt  happy  in 
a  good  comfortable  suit  of  Yankee  clothing,  only  they  were  not 
allowed  to  enjoy  it  in  peace. 

After  the  action,  and  during  the  day,  the  enemy  asked  for  a 
flag  of  truce  for  the  purpose  of  removing  their  dead  and  wounded 
who  were  lying  between  the  lines.  This  was  promptly  granted 
along  that  portion  of  the  line  where  the  engagement  had  taken 
place.  During  this  time  many  of  our  officers  met  those  from  the 
other  side  and  extended  them  every  courtesy  which  they  could 
properly.  Captain  Cooke  relates  an  incident  of  meeting  General 
Ransom  of  the  Confederate  army  and  giving  him  a  gold  ring  which 
had  been  taken  from  a  dead  Confederate  officer,  the  General 
thanking  him  in  behalf  of  the  dead  officer's  family  who  were 


FORT   STEDMAX.  265 

known  to  him.  There  was  no  taunting  the  enemy  with  his  defeat 
or  vain  boasting  over  it. 

In  placing  the  record  of  the  battle  upon  the  pages  of  the  his 
tory  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  we  realize  that  it  is  not 
complete  without  the  stories  and  personal  experiences  related  by 
others.  It  cannot  be  expected  that  all  will  be  the  same,  any 
more  than  that  every  twinkling  star  in  the  firmament  is  like  every 
other  star,  but  all  are  well  authenticated  and  full  of  interest,  and 
told  as  they  saw  it.  If  we  have  omitted  to  mention  all  other 
organizations,  it  is  not  because  we  claim  all  the  credit  of  that 
victory,  as  wre  only  claim  our  share  ;  nor  is  it  because  others  are 
not  so  justly  entitled  to  honorable  mention,  but  because  we  are 
writing  only  the  history  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts.  We 
take  pleasure  in  submitting  to  the  reader  what  others  have  said, 
together  with  copies  of  official  reports  made  at  the  time,  and  since 
published  by  the  United  States  War  Department  in  "Rebellion 
Records"  ;  copies  of  which  have  been  kindly  furnished  us  by  Maj. 
George  B.  Davis,  U.S.  Army,  to  whom  we  wish  to  return  our 
thanks. 

Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee  (a  near  relative  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee)  writes 
the  Confederate  story  as  follows  : — 

"General  Lee  determined  to  make  one  more  effort,  by  a 
bold  stroke,  to  break  the  chains  forged  to  confine  him.  Grant  had 
so  exhausted  his  left*  that  he  thought  to  break  through  his  works 
near  the  Appomattox  below  the  east  of  Petersburg,  and  hence 
determined  to  assault  Fort  Stedman  two  miles  from  the  city, 
where  the  opposing  lines  were  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  and 
the  respective  pickets  fifty  yards  apart.  General  Gordon,  an 
officer  always  crammed  with  courage  and  fond  of  enterprise,  was 
selected  to  make  the  attack  with  his  corps,  formerly  Eaiiy's,  and 
parts  of  Long-street's  and  Hill's  and  a  detachment  of  cavalry. 
His  object  was  to  capture  the  fort,  thrust  the  storming  party 
through  the  gap  and  seize  three  forts  on  the  high  ground  beyond 
and  the  lines  on  the  right  and  left  of  it,  under  the  impression  that 
the  forts  were  open  at  the  gorge.  But  there  were  no  such  forts. 
The  redoubts  that  had  a  commanding  fire  on  Fort  Stedman  were 
in  the  main  line  in  the  rear  and,  in  fact,  were  a  line  of  intrench - 


'It  is  presumed  Lee  meant  to  say  Grant's  right.  —  J.  A. 


•266 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


ments.  At  about  half  past  four  on  the  morning  of  March  25th, 
Gordon  made  his  daring  sortie,  broke  through  the  trench  guards, 
overpowered  the  garrison  and  captured  Fort  Stedman,  or  Hare's 
Hill,  and  two  adjacent  batteries,  but  after  a  most  gallant  struggle, 
was  forced  to  retire,  losing  1,949  prisoners  and  1,000  killed  and 
wounded,  but  bringing  back  560  prisoners  and  Brigadier-General 
McLaughlen." 

Col.  Thomas  W.  Clarke,  who  was  adjutant-general  of  the 
Third  Brigade  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Stedman,  and  in  a  position  to 
know  much  about  the  engagement,  has  kindly  contributed  the  fol 
lowing  statement,  which  is  clear  and  concise,  and  adds  much  to 
the  history  of  the  engagement.  We  have  omitted  some  portions 
of  his  paper  where  reference  is  made  to  positions  shown  on  certain 
maps,  as  we  have  not  the  maps  alluded  to,  but  from  the  expla 
nations  heretofore  given,  it  will  not  be  difficult  to  trace  out  the 
most  important  positions  and  the  general  features  of  the  ground  : — 

"On  the  night  of  the  24th  and  25th  of  March,  1M65,  Gen. 
N.  B.  McLaughlen's  Third  Brigade  was  constituted  and  posted  as 
follows :  .  .  .  .  The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  held  the  line 
from  Battery  9  to  Battery  10.  It  was  mostly  level  ground,  rising 
considerably  near  Fort  Stedman,  and  was  very  much  exposed  to 
the  fire  of  Confederate  sharpshooters.  The  road  in  rear  of  the 
breastworks  was  on  higher  ground  than  the  works.  The  Fifty- 
Seventh  had  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  men,  and  was  well 
commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tucker  and  Captain  Doherty 
who  held  a  major's  commission  but  was  not  mustered.  The  14th 
New  York  Artillery,  about  five  hundred  strong,  was  partly  in  Fort 
Stedman  and  Battery  10,  and  partly  in  Fort  Haskell.  Battery 
1 1  was  a  pan  coupe  redan,  with  a  bomb-proof  barrack  across  its 
gorge,  and  was  garrisoned  by  the  29th  Massachusetts  who  also 
extended  along  the  curtain  to  Battery  12.  It  had  about  125 
muskets  and  was  well  led  and  officered.  The  writer  was  a  captain 
in  this  regiment,  and  had  been  commissioned  colonel,  but  was  not 
mustered.  Maj.  Charles  T.  Richardson  commanded  the  battalion, 
and  several  of  the  officers  were  on  staff  duty.  The  100th  Penn 
sylvania,  about  five  hundred  strong,  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Pentecost,  a  singularly  brave  and  skilful  officer  of  the 


FORT    STEDMAN. 


267 


highest  personal  character,  was  between  Battery  12  and  Fort 
Haskell,  and  the  3d  Maryland  Battalion,  about  two  hundred 
strong,  was  on  the  left  of  Fort  Haskell  and  connected  with  Harri- 
man's  First  Brigade.  The  59th  Massachusetts,  under  Major 
Gould,  was  in  an  old  line  of  works,  in  the  rear  of  the  main  line, 
near  Battery  13.  There  were  field-pieces  in  Forts  Stedman  and 
Haskell,  mortars  in  Battery  10  and  Coehorns  in  Battery  12.  The 
troops  who  served  these  were  not  under  the  brigade  commander, 
but  were  controlled  by  Colonel  Tidball,  commanding  Artillery 
Brigade,  Ninth  Army  Corps. 

"  The  position  in  front  of  this  brigade  had  been  carefully 
reconnoitered  and  was  considered  fully  defensible  on  both  sides, 
except  between  Fort  Stedman  arid  Colquitt's  salient.  There 
McLaughlen  believed  a  break  could  be  made  in  the  enemy's  lines, 
and  had  submitted  a  plan  for  an  attack  at  that  point  early  in  the 
year.  P^ucouragement  enough  had  been  given  to  him  to  cause 
him  to  train  a  body  of  axemen  for  the  pioneer  service  necessary. 
All  the  regiments  were  obliged  to  furnish  their  own  fuel,  and 
great  quantities  of  timber  were  required  for  the  repair  of  breast 
works.  Instead  of  occasional  details  for  this  work,  each  regi 
ment  selected  several  expert  axemen  and  kept  them  constantly 
at  work  in  the  woods  preparing  timber  and  fuel,  which  was 
brought  in  weekly  by  the  wagons.  Several  enlisted  men  and  at 
least  one  officer  had  been  across  into  Colquitt's  salient  and  were 
well  qualified  to  serve  as  guides  in  case  of  an  attack.  These  axe 
men  were  to  have  formed  the  axemen  for  the  proposed  assault. 
The  difficulty  of  the  position  was  such  that  it  was  thought 
necessary  to  have  constantly  on  the  picket  line  from  Fort  Sted 
man  to  Fort  Haskell  an  officer,  with  the  authority  of  an  officer  of 
the  day,  in  that  part  of  the  line,  and  such  an  officer  was  regu 
larly  detailed  from  the  officer  of  the  day  roster,  and  called  captain 
of  the  picket.  Standing  orders  required  the  troops  to  be  under 
arms  half  an  hour  before  daybreak,  and  a  staff  officer  visited  the 
main  line  every  night  after  twelve  o'clock  and  again  rode  around 
about  daylight  to  see  that  due  vigilance  was  exercised.  All  this 
was  done  without  fuss  or  ostentation.  The  General  participated 
in  this  work  of  inspection.  The  general  calls  for  reveille, 


268 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


retreat  and  tattoo  were  played  by  the  brigade  band  near  head 
quarters,  and  were  taken  up  from  thence  by  the  field  music  in  the 
lines. 

"  No  person  can  truly  say  he  ever  saw  any  officer  of  the 
brigade  staff  gambling,  and  any  kind  of  card  playing  by  them  or 
at  headquarters  was  so  unusual  that  at  this  time  no  officer  of 
McLaughlen's  brigade  can  be  found  who  remembers  a  single 
game  of  cards  there.  In  fact,  card  playing  and  gambling  were 
rare  all  through  the  brigade.  The  whiskey  purchases  by  officers 
were  made  on  written  orders,  which  were  required  to  be  examined 
and  approved  by  the  battalion  commanders  and  by  the  General 
before  delivery  of  the  whiskey ;  and  a  list  of  the  orders  approved 
was  sent  daily  to  the  commissary,  who  was  required  to  confine 
his  sales  to  officers  named  in  the  list.  Sutlers  or  purveyors  were 
not  allowed  to  keep  or  sell  drink.  A  register  of  officers  and 
their  whiskey  purchases  was  kept  at  brigade  headquarters,  that  a 
proper  check  might  be  given  to  those  who  indulged  too  freely. 
The  General  was  particularly  abstemious  and  respected  abstinence 
in  others ;  yet  in  the  three  or  four  months  before  the  25th  of 
March,  no  whiskey  order  had  been  refused  approval,  and  only 
three  or  four  officers  had  been  warned  or  cautioned.  General 
Grant's  order,  inviting  Confederate  deserters  to  bring  over  their 
arms,  had  caused  McLaughlen  considerable  uneasiness,  and  he 
had  applied  for  liberty  to  suspend  it  on  his  front,  but  without 
success. 

"  At  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  March  25th, 
Lieut.  Henry  C.  Joslyn,  29th  Massachusetts,  captain  of  the 
picket,  sent  a  message  to  brigade  headquarters,  saying  that  an 
unusual  number  of  deserters  were  coming  over  with  arms,  and 
he  asked  for  instructions.  The  General  was  at  once  aroused, 
horses  were  ordered  to  be  saddled,  orderlies  were  sent  to  every 
regiment  directing  them  to  be  got  under  arms  quietly  and  at  once, 
and  the  59th  was  ordered  to  move  promptly  to  brigade  head 
quarters.  Lieutenant  Joslyn's  messenger  was  sent  back  with 
instructions  to  detain  the  deserters  for  half  an  hour  and  then  send 
them  in  under  a  small  guard.  It  was  expected  that  by  that  time 
the  59th  would  be  in  position  near  Fort  Stedman  to  receive  them. 


FORT    STEDMAN. 


269 


In  addition  to  this,  word  was  sent  to  Colonel  Harriman  on  our 
left  that  he  had  better  get  under  arms,  and,  if  he  could,  get  a 
regiment  loose  from  his  lines  to  support  us.  A  messenger  was 
also  sent  to  General  Hartranft,  commanding  the  reserve  division 
of  Pennsylvania  troops  beyond  the  railroad,  to  ask  him  to  get 
under  arms  and  move  to  our  support,  as  we  dreaded  an  attack. 
Lieutenant  Joslyn  reported  that  he  had  sent  to  Major  Richardson 
in  Battery  11,  and  Major  Randall  at  Fort  Stedman,  asking  them 
to  get  under  arms,  and  Major  Richardson  had  reported  that  there 
were  signs  in  his  front  of  an  impending  attack,  and  had  been 
assured  that  he  should  have  all  the  aid  in  our  power. 

"  Before  all  these  messages  had  been  sent  off,  the  General 
and  his  aide,  Lieutenant  Sturges  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachu 
setts,  went  over  to  meet  the  59th  and  to  lead  them  direct  to  Fort 
Stedman,  instead  of  by  way  of  brigade  headquarters.  Just 
before  he  set  out  flashes  of  musketry  began  to  appear  on  the 
lines.  After  ordering  the  tents  struck  and  baggage  packed  on 
wagons,  the  staff  officers  mounted  and  rode  out  towards  the  lines. 
The  conduct  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  was  concealed 
from  us  by  a  ridge  in  the  rear  of  Fort  Stedman,  but  that  of  the 
29th  and  100th  could  well  be  seen.  The  29th  held  to  Battery  11. 
They  were  attacked  on  all  sides,  driven  out,  retook  it,  fought 
from  both  sides  of  the  parapet,  captured  prisoners  and  three  or 
more  flags,  and  did  not  finally  lose  the  place  until  about  seven 
o'clock.  They  succeeded  in  sending  their  flags  and  prisoners  to 
headquarters.  Among  them  was  one  represented  to  be  an 
artillery  colonel.  The  100th  Pennsylvania  swung  back  its  right 
and  retired  slowly,  desperately  fighting,  till  it  was  formed  on  a 
line  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  works.  They  captured  and  sent 
in  prisoners  and  two  flags  in  this  contest.  The  3d  Maryland 
moved  up  to  Fort  Haskell.  The  59th  assisted  in  the  recapture 
of  Battery  11,  but  were  badly  treated,  and  fell  back,  principally, 
I  am  informed,  on  the  outside  of  the  breastworks  to  Fort 
Haskell. 

»'  General  McLaughlen's  statement  was  that  he  went  into  Fort 
Stedman  and  found  promiscuous  fighting  in  the  fort.  He  saw 
some  men  driven  out  over  the  walls,  and  went  up  to  a  consider- 


270 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


able  party  and  gave  orders  to  man  the  parapets.  They  obeyed 
him  to  some  extent,  till  some  one  of  them  asked  who  he  was,  and 
on  his  reply,  '  General  McLaughlen,  commanding  this  brigade,'  he 
and  his  aide  were  seized  and  disarmed.  Major  Randall  was 
then  in  the  fort  and  was  spoken  to  by  the  General.  Some  of  the 
14th  Artillery  from  Fort  Stedmau  fell  back  to  near  brigade  head 
quarters,  and  re-formed  there,  parallel  to  our  works,  taking 
advantage  of  some  old  works  in  that  neighborhood.  The  report 
of  the  work  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  was  that  they  fell  back,  skir 
mishing,  towards  Harrison's  creek  and  the  old  line  of  works. 
They  lost  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded,  including  Major  Doherty 
in  command,  but  had  few  prisoners  taken. 

"Colonel  Harriman  had  promptly  disengaged  a  regiment  and 
moved  it  to  his  right,  thus  making  the  infantry  defense  on  the 
side  of  Fort  Haskell  reasonably  secure.  The  artillery  in  the 
batteries  in  our  rear  had  opened,  and  were  doing  good  service. 
The  ground  between  brigade  headquarters  and  Forts  Haskell  and 
Stedman  was  quite  heavily  wooded  with  large  trees,  but  was  free 
of  underbrush,  and  the  morning  was  foggy.  •  The  fight  had  now 
been  going  on  about  two  hours,  and  it  was  shortly  before  six 
o'clock.  Fighting  was  still  going  on  around  Battery  11.  The 
Fort  Stedman  detachment  of  the  14th  New  York  Artillery  was  on 
the  right  of  brigade  headquarters  and  had  been  somewhat  engaged 
in  their  new  position.  A  long  gap  was  open  between  them  and 
the  right  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania,  occupied  only  by  the  brigade 
pioneers,  about  forty  men,  under  Sergeant  Randolph  of  the  100th 
Pennsylvania,  and  by  the  mounted  officers  and  orderlies  of  the 
staff,  but  along  this  gap  was  a  line  of  detached  earthworks  of 
considerable  length  and  of  somewhat  formidable  appearance. 
About  half  of  the  brigade  baud  and  the  headquarters'  clerks  had 
obtained  arms  and  were  aligned  with  the  pioneers.  A  long  gap 
existed  between  the  left  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania  and  Fort 
Haskell.  But  neither  of  these  gaps  was  an  eighth  of  a  mile, 
and  they  were  covered  on  the  side  of  Fort  Haskell  by  the  3d 
Maryland,  and  on  the  other  side  by  Harriman's  regiment  in 
echelon  on  the  flanks  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania. 


FORT    STEDMAN.  271 

"Shortly  before  six  o'clock  Captain  Shorkley,  of  General 
Hartranft's  staff,  rode  up  to  say  that  a  regiment,  detached  by  him, 
was  at  hand,  and  to  inquire  where  it  should  be  put.  General 
McLaughlen's  capture  had  just  been  officially  reported,  and  there 
was  no  time  to  search  for  his  successor,  Colonel  Robinson.  It 
was  therefore  determined  to  push  direct  for  Fort  Stedman  and 
Battery  1 1 .  But  it  was  uncertain  how  much  room  there  was  in 
which  to  deploy  and  move.  Captain  Shorkley  was  asked  to  wait 
a  moment,  and  an  officer  then  rode  down  the  road  leading  to  Fort 
Stedman.  He  had  not  gone  more  than  two  hundred  yards  before 
he  met  Confederate  skirmishers,  one  of  whom  fired  on  him  at 
short  range,  cutting  the  hat  cord  on  his  hat.  Turning  his  horse 
he  said  to  the  man,  who  was  reloading  within  speaking  distance, 
'  If  you  were  my  man,  I'd  give  you  ten  days  in  guardhouse  for 
missing  an  easy  shot  like  that,'  and  galloped  back.  The  only 
available  men  for  use  just  here  were  the  pioneers,  who  got  this 
order  :  '  Sergeant  Randolph,  the  head  of  General  Gordon's  divi 
sion  is  coming  up  that  road.  Deploy  your  pioneers  as  skirmishers 
and  whip  it.'  'I  am  to  whip  a  division  with  pioneers,  sir?' 
'  Certainly.  You  shall  be  relieved  with  a  line  of  battle  in  ten 
minutes.  Make  lots  of  racket.'  The  pioneers  were  thrown  in 
with  great  enthusiasm  and  noise,  and  under  their  cover  the  208th 
Pennsylvania  of  Hartranft's  division  was  moved  out  and  arrayed 
in  deployed  line,  facing  the  lost  works.  Every  mounted  officer 
and  orderly  present,  sixteen  in  all,  then  fell  in  line  behind  them, 
and  they  slowly  moved  down,  under  a  heavy  fire,  about  half  way 
to  the  objective  point,  where  they  were  halted  and  laid  down  be 
hind  an  old  line  of  rifle  pits.  Not  a  mounted  man  escaped  being 
hit  in  this  movement,  though  half  of  them  came  off  with  injuries 
only  to  horses  and  clothes.  During  this  advance  the  firing  was 
very  heavy  at  Fort  Haskell  and  in  its  neighborhood.  The  100th 
Pennsylvania  advanced  at  the  same  time,  and  Colonel  Robinson 
brought  up  the  3d  Maryland  from  its  position,  in  echelon,  and 
assumed  command  of  all  the  troops  in  this  part  of  the  field.  The 
loss  of  the  208th  Pennsylvania  was  about  half  the  loss  of  Hart 
ranft's  division  that  day,  and  was  suffered  mostly  in  this  ad 
vance.  It  was  not  thought  prudent  to  go  clear  on  to  the  lost 


272 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


lines  at  that  moment,  as  Hartranft  was  not  up  within  supporting 
distance.  From  this  time  to  the  final  charge  very  little  fighting 
was  done  in  this  part  of  the  field.  Over  four  hundred  prisoners 
and  six  or  seven  flags  had  been  taken  up  to  this  time  by  troops 
of  the  Second  Brigade  and  forwarded  from  brigade  to  corps  head 
quarters,  as  communication  with  the  division  was  interrupted  by 
the  interposed  column  of  Confederates. 

"  From  this  time,  about  half  past  six,  till  shortly  before  eight, 
the  situation  in  this  part  of  the  field  was  much  like  this :  the  left 
consisted  of  detachments  of  the  14th  New  York  Artillery,  29th 
and  59th  Massachusetts.  Next  these  were  the  3d  Maryland  and 
100th  Pennsylvania  as  organizations.  Next  was  the  208th  Penn 
sylvania,  and  next  them  the  Fort  Stedman  detachment  of  the  14th 
New  York  Artillery.  A  line  of  Confederate  skirmishers  extended 
from  near  Battery  12  towards  Stedman,  and  the  works  in  the  rear 
were  full  of  Confederate  troops.  Hartranft  was  advancing  with 
two  brigades,  his  left  near  the  road  leading  to  the  right  from  Fort 
Stedman,  and  his  line  deployed  parallel  to  the  general  direction 
of  the  line  of  works  between  McGilvery  and  Stedman.  On 
Hartranft' s  right  was  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts,  zealous  to 
regain  their  lost  works,  and  to  avenge  their  lost  major. 

"  Colonel  Tidball  of  the  Artillery  Brigade  had  not  been  idle, 
but  had  sent  us  a  six-gun  brass  battery  to  brigade  headquarters, 
where  it  was  advantageously  posted  in  rear  of  the  interval  be 
tween  the  208th  and  the  right  detachment  of  the  14th  New  York 
Artillery.  The  officer  in  command  was  a  little  astonished  to  find 
himself  on  outpost  duty,  and  to  be  told  that  we  intended  to 
charge  without  reserves,  but  consoled  himself  by  remarking :  '  I 
shall  give  them  a  cufious  time  with  canister  before  these  guns  are 
taken,  even  if  your  infantry  fails  in  its  charge.'  As  these  guns 
were  going  in  position  a  little  before  eight,  an  aide  from  General 
Hartranft  came  with  his  compliments  to  say  to  the  commanding 
officer  Third  Brigade,  that  he  would  charge  in  five  minutes,  and 
would  be  pleased  to  have  the  Third  Brigade  co-operate.  Colonel 
Robinson  at  once  replied :  '  Give  my  compliments  to  General 
Hartranft,  and  say  I  am  charging  now,'  immediately  giving  the 
order  to  rise  up  and  charge.  The  concave  line  just  described  then 


WILLIAM    SHAFTOE, 

1st  SerRt.  Co.  K,  57th  Mass. 


FORT   STKDMAN. 


273 


charged,  converging  on  the  works,  the  right  aiming  at  Fort  Sted- 
inan,  the  left  to  sweep  up  the  line,  and  the  centre  directed  on 
Battery  11.  The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  swept  up  to  their 
own  works,  and  every  gap  of  escape  was  promptly  closed,  except 
on  the  right  of  Battery  10  to  a  point  about  half  way  to  Battery  9. 
The  tumult  of  Hartranft's  charge  was  heard  while  Robinson's  line 
was  advancing,  and  the  rear  rank  of  Robinson's  troops  was 
promptly  faced  about  from  Battery  10  to  Battery  12.  We  had 
charged  past  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy  and  were  in  the  rear  of 
his  right  wing.  One  flag  was  taken  in  this  charge  by  a  sergeant 
of  the  208th  Pennsylvania.  A  line  of  Confederates  now  appeared 
directing  themselves  on  Fort  Stedman  and  Battery  11,  and 
coming  on  at  great  speed,  and  shouts  of  '  Halt,'  '  Surrender,' 
'  Down  with  your  arms,'  rose  all  along  the  line.  For  an  instant 
it  seemed  as  if  we  must  fire  on  them,  they  came  on  so  steadily, 
but  presently  their  guns  began  to  be  cast  upon  the  ground,  the 
line  turned  to  the  left,  and  the  order,  '  Strip  off  your  belts,'  was 
complied  with,  and  about  800  enlisted  men  and  over  40  officers 
were  prisoners  of  war. 

"  The  fortune  of  war  so  ruled  that  the  First  Division,  which 
made  the  assault  at  the  mine,  and  the  Third  Brigade,  which  under 
went  the  assault  at  Fort  Stedmau,  were  to  a  great  extent 
identical. 

"  Let  us  apply  the  maxim  '  a  man  is  known  by  the  company 
he  keeps  '  to  these  men.  Occasions  for  special  acts  of  gallantry 
must  occur  in  an  army,  mostly  when  the  men  who  do  them  are 
with,  and  supported  by,  their  associates.  Four  hundred  and 
seventy-four  officers  and  men  were  selected  for  decoration  with 
medals  of  honor  out  of  the  two  millions  who  served  in  the  war. 
Ten  of  these  were  in  the  regiments  of  McLaughlen's  brigade ;  yet 
all  the  organizations  of  that  brigade  never  had  on  their  rolls  over 
seven  thousand  men.  They  got,  in  other  words,  six  times  their 
share  of  medals  for  gallantry.  The  100  Pennsylvania  won  four 
per  cent  of  these  honors  awarded  to  troops  from  that  State.  The 
Massachusetts  troops  of  this  brigade  earned  five  medals  out  of  the 
twenty-one  which  Massachusetts  got,  and  two  of  the  others  were 
won  by  two  other  regiments  of  Ledlie's  division.  The  3d  Mary- 


274  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

land  won  half  of  the  Maryland  medals ;  yet  Ledlie's  division  has 
been  stated,  in  what  purports  to  be  history,  to  have  been  the 
worst  in  the  army  .... 

"  The  war  is  ended,  many  of  the  men  who  survived  it  sleep  be 
neath  the  green  earth  of  many  a  country  graveyard,  and  mere  justice 
to  their  children  requires  that  the  record  of  those  two  desperate 
mornings*  should  be  completed  by  a  comrade  who  was  in  a  position 
to  observe,  and  who  was  required  to  see  and  know,  free  from  the 
actual  stress  of  bodily  fighting,  the  connections  and  combinations 
of  all  parts  of  our  own  contesting  troops,  and  to  comprehend  this 
combination  and  further  it.  Were  Marshall  or  McLaughlen  alive 
they  would  be  allowed  to  tell  their  own  story,  except  so  far  as 
they  asked  for  aid.  Failing  that,  their  adjutant  tells  his  general's 
story,  as  he  believes  the  general  would  tell  it,  and  as  his  own 
remembrance  of  observed  facts  requires." 

Bvt.  Capt.  Charles  H.  Pinkham,  who  was  sergeant-major  of 
the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Stedman, 
and  whose  gallantry  was  mentioned  by  the  division,  brigade  and 
regimental  commanders,  has  contributed  his  personal  recollections 
of  the  battle.  This  will  be  interesting  to  every  comrade  who  was 
there,  as  it  is  a  modest  voice  from  the  Fifty-Seventh.  Captain 
Pinkham  is  now  an  honored  citizen  of  the  city  of  Worcester, 
Mass. 

WORCESTER,  MASS.,  Jan.  15th,  1895. 
Captain  JOHN  ANDERSON,  U.S.  Army. 

My  Dear  Captain:  In  accordance  with  your  request,  I  am  pleased 
to  submit  herewith  my  personal  recollections  of  the  battle  of  Fort  Sted 
man,  March  25th,  1865.  For  nearly  eleven  months  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts  had  been  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  an;l  had  partici 
pated  in  every  engagement  from  the  Wilderness  down.  Since  the  siege 
of  Petersburg,  it  had  occupied  some  of  the  most  exposed  positions  along 
the  lines  in  front  of  Petersburg  and  had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  flank 
ing  movements  to  the  left,  as  well  as  all  those  made  in  our  front  for  the 
purpose  of  advancing  the  lines. 

In  the  early  part  of  1865,  orders  had  been  issued  allowing  deserters 
from  the  rebel  army  to  come  within  our  lines,  bringing  their  arms  and 
equipments.  The  wisdom  of  such  an  order,  as  appeared  in  the  light  of 


*  The  crater  and  Stedman.  —  J.  A. 


FORT   STEDMAN. 


275 


events  which  followed,  may  well  be  questioned  and  lead  to  the  opinion 
that,  from  a  military  standpoint,  it  was  a  mistake. 

On  the  morning  of  March  25th,  1865,  the  regiment  was  in  camp 
to  the  right  and  rear  of  Fort  Stedman,  near  the  Prince  George  Court 
House  road,  covering  the  earthworks,  or  trenches,  at  this  point.  As  it 
was  not  practicable  for  troops  to  remain  constantly  in  the  trenches,  on 
account  of  the  peculiar  conformation  of  the  ground  at  this  place,  and  the 
water  and  mud  that  had  settled  there,  the  men  of  the  regiment  not  on 
guard  duty,  were  permitted  to  sleep  in  their  tents  just  behind  the  in 
trenched  lines.  In  fact  it  was  not  deemed  absolutely  necessary  for  them 
to  remain  in  the  trenches,  as  there  was  a  trench  guard  and  a  line  of 
picket  posts  in  front.  I  was  sergeant-major  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  and 
tented  with  Adjutant  Doty,  who  was  absent  on  leave  at  the  time,  and 
Lieutenant  A.  0.  Hitchcock  was  acting  in  his  place. 

We  were  awakened  about  three  or  four  o'clock  that  morning  by 
hearing  unusual  firing  on  the  picket  line.  I  immediately  got  up  and 
reported  the  matter  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tucker  and  Major  Doherty, 
and  the  regiment  was  immediately  turned  out  under  arms  and  formed 
line.  Companies  G  and  K  were  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  our  camp, 
moved  forward  and  were  most  of  them  taken  prisoners.  Even  at  that 
time  the  u  Johnnies"  were  inside  our  lines  and  in  Fort  Stedman,  having 
captured  several  of  our  picket  posts  under  the  well-played  ruse  of  being- 
deserters  from  the  rebel  army.  They  came  in  such  large  numbers  as  to 
be  able  to  capture  and  overpower  our  pickets  in  that  immediate  vicinity. 
If  the  order  permitting  them  to  come  in  and  bring  their  arms  had  not 
been  issued,  the  battle  of  Fort  Stedman  would,  probably,  never  have 
taken  place,  and  General  Gordon  would  never  have  made  an  attack  here. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  was  without  support,  either  on 
the  right  or  left,  and  as  it  was  taken  in  fiank  by  an  overwhelming  force, 
the  only  course  was  to  fall  back,  which  was  quickly  done.  It  was  either 
a  hasty  retreat  or  the  surrender  of  the  whole  regiment.  Colonel  Tucker 
being  division  officer  of  the  day  and  attending  to  his  duties  elsewhere, 
Major  Doherty  took  command.  As  we  were  falling  back,  he  said  to  me, 
"  Sergeant-Major,  where  in  h — 1  are  the  colors?  "  I  replied  that  the  color 
sergeant  who  was  on  furlough  had  left  them  in  my  tent.  He  then  ordered 
me  to  return  and  get  them.  I  went,  in  obedience  to  his  orders,  although 
it  looked  like  a  forlorn  hope,  but  the  colors  must  be  saved  at  any  cost. 
Having  lost  one  stand  of  colors  in  the  crater,  we  could  poorly  attbrd  to 
Icse  another  here.  As  I  returned,  the  enemy  was  in  possession  of  our 
camp,  but,  under  cover  of  darkness,  I  gained  the  tent,  seized  the  colors, 
and  you  may  be  sure  I  did  not  wait  to  hold  conversation  with  them,  but 
for  the  time  being  was  a  professional  ''sprinter."  I  ran  the  gauntlet 
and,  save  being  half  frightened  to  death  by  the  bullets  whizzing  around 


276  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

my  ears,  reached  the  regiment  in  safety  and  turned  the  colors  over  to 
Sergeant  Chase  of  Company  H. 

History  has  told  the  story  of  the  charge  and  well  do  those  who  were 
there  remember  the  gallant  conduct  of  Lieutenant  Murdock,  who  seized 
the  flag  from  the  color  sergeant,  and  urging  his  men  forward,  was  shot 
through  the  body,  falling  with  the  colors  in  his  hand  and  dying  almost 
immediately  after.  After  the  battle  was  over  and  we  had  regained  our 
camp  once  more,  we  found  what  was  left  nearly  destroyed  by  the  grape 
and  canister  from  our  own  batteries  on  the  hill  in  rear.  The  ground  was 
strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying  u  Johnnies,"  as  the  Confederates  were 
familiarly  called,  who  had  so  bravely  fought  us.  While  our  loss  had 
been  heavy,  theirs  had  been  much  heavier. 

The  final  result  of  the  battle  was  that  we  won  back  all  the  positions 
from  which  we  had  been  driven,  besides  a  large  number  of  prisoners  and 
small  arms,  together  with  several  battle-flags.  The  Fifty-Seventh  Massa 
chusetts,  by  a  tl  singular  poetic  justice,"  captured  the  battle-flag  of  the 
57th  North  Carolina  (rebel).  Soon  after  the  Stedman  affair  we  were 
ordered  into  the  main  line  of  works  near  Battery  11  and  Fort  Stedman. 

It  was  while  we  were  in  this  position  that  orders  were  issued  for  the 
29th,  57th  and  59th  Massachusetts  regiments  to  form  a  forlorn  hope  and 
charge  the  enemy  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman.  In  order  to  accomplish 
this  successfully  it  was  necessary  that  the  three  lines  of  abatis  in  front  of 
the  enemy's  lines  should  be  cut  away.  One  officer  and  forty  men  from  the 
brigade  were  called  upon  to  volunteer  as  axemen.  Lieutenant  James  H. 
Marshall  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  volunteered  to  lead  them. 
The  time  fixed  was  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  axemen  took  posi 
tion  in  front  of  the  works  and  waited  the  order  to  advance.  The  three 
regiments  had  made  preparations,  each  believing  that  few  would  escape 
being  killed  in  such  a  foolhardy  attempt  to  break  the  enemy's  almost 
impregnable  line.  Most  of  the  men  gave  the  chaplain  or  quartermaster 
such  valuables  as  they  had  on  their  persons  to  be  sent  home  to  their 
friends  or  relatives  in  case  they  should  fail  to  return,  but  no  man  in  the 
regiment  thought  of  doing  anything  but  his  duty,  and  that  was  to  obey 
orders  faithfully,  even  if  it  cost  him  his  life.  But  the  charge  was  never 
made,  the  order  having  been  wisely  countermanded.  No  movement  was 
made  on  either  side  until  the  final  attack  from  our  left  the  day  before 
the  evacuation  of  Petersburg,  when  our  troops  repeatedly  charged  the 
enemy's  lines.  How  well  do  we  all  remember  the  night  before  the 
evacuation,  when  the  enemy  opened  all  his  batteries  upon  us,  which  were 
responded  to  by  all  the  batteries  on  the  Federal  side,  and  for  hours  the 
heavens  were  a  blaze  of  light  from  the  burning  fuse  of  hundreds  of 
shrieking,  bursting  shells.  It  was  a  grand  exhibition  of  the  elements  of 
war.  Under  cover  of  this  demonstration,  the  enemy  evacuated  Peters 
burg,  and  at  the  first  break  of  day,  our  pickets  found  that  instead  of 


FORT   STEDMAN. 


277 


facing  an  army  with  which  we  had  struggled  for  months,  we  were  only 
facing  a  line  of  vacant  trenches.  They  had,  after  weary  months  of  hard 
pounding,  been  at  last  flanked  out  from  the  left  and  we  entered  upon  the 
closing  chapter  of  that  grand  tragedy  which  had  occupied  the  attention 
of  the  whole  world  for  four  long,  bloody  years. 

Fraternally  yours, 

CHARLES  H.  PINKHAM, 

Late  2d  Lieutenant  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 

Brevet- Captain    U.H.V. 

Chaplain  Dashiell  relates  a  sad  incident  of  a  young  sergeant 
by  the  name  of  Wesley  R.  Williams  of  Company  I,  who  had 
passed  through  every  engagement  with  the  regiment  unhurt. 
Now,  when  the  war  seemed  so  near  a  close,  with  bright  anticipa 
tions  of  an  early  return  to  home  and  friends,  he  had  a  leg 
shattered  in  the  engagement  at  Fort  Stedman  and  wTas  obliged  to 
have  it  amputated. 

After  Major  Doherty  fell,  the  regiment  was  commanded  by 
Capt.  A.  W.  Cooke. 

Capt.  Henry  C.  Ward,  formerly  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massa 
chusetts,  now  a  captain  in  the  16th  Infantry,  U.S.  Army,  has 
written  a  paper  giving  an  account  of  bis  capture  on  the  picket 
line  and  his  subsequent  experience  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  which  is 
well  entitled  to  space  in  this  history,  together  with  the  recent 
correspondence  connected  with  the  return  of  his  sword  :  — 

THE  NKIHT  ATTACK  ON  FORT  STEDMAN,  MARCH  25TH,  1805. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1865,  I  was  detailed  as  brigade  officer  of  the 
day,  of  the  Third  Brigade,  First  Division,  Ninth  Army  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  was  in  charge  of  the  brigade  pickets  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  Va.,  covering  a  line  of  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half. 

On  account  of  the  weakening  of  the  Ninth  Corps  some  days  pre 
vious,  to  reinforce  the  army  on  our  left  for  a  contemplated  movement  at 
that  point,  the  brigade  picket  lines  and  the  troops  in  the  immediate 
front  of  Petersburg  had  been  considerably  reduced  in  numbers.  This 
the  Confederate  commander  had  observed,  and  this  was  the  occasion  of 
the  attack  on  Fort  Stedman. 

The  picket  lines  of  the  two  armies  were  scarcely  seventy-five  yards 
apart,  while  the  main  lines  were  from  250  to  300  yards  apart  at  this 
point.  The  main  works  of  defense  and  the  fortifications  of  the  Con- 


278 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


federates  were  protected  by  strong  lines  of  abatis  and  chevaux-de-frise 
and  other  obstructions  well  known  in  warfare.  The  pickets  being  so 
close  together,  the  reliefs  were  placed  after  dusk.  For  some  time  there 
had  been  continued  tiring  on  the  picket  lines  at  night,  by  both  parties,  to 
prevent  repairs  on  their  works  caused  by  the  artillery  firing  during  the 
day.  At  night  many  deserters  also  came  in  from  the  enemy,  bringing 
their  arms,  equipments,  etc. 

Upon  my  reporting  to  Brigadier-General  McLaughlen,  commanding 
the  Third  Brigade,  for  orders  on  the  night  of  March  24th,  18G5,  he  in 
formed  me  that  he  had  received  orders  to  have  all  firing  in  his  front  at 
night  stopped  unless  an  attack  was  made,  and  directed  me  to  attend  to  the 
matter;  and  as  I  was  leaving  him  he  called  me  back  and  remarked,  that 
if  I  procured  any  rebel  newspapers  during  the  night,  to  send  them  to  his 
headquarters  in  the  morning.  After  dusk  I  stopped  all  firing  on  the 
lines.  The  night  was  unusually  quiet.  In  passing  down  the  lines  I 
walked  into  a  rebel  picket  and  upon  realizing  my  mistake,  I  begged  his 
pardon  and  fled,  without  being  fired  upon.  This  was  not  an  unusual 
occurrence,  on  account  of  the  lines  being  zigzag  and  so  close  together. 

About  three  o'clock  A.M.,  I  heard  some  desultory  shots  almost  di 
rectly  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman,  and  I  proceeded  there  as  rapidly  as  possi 
ble.  The  picket  informed  me  that  something  unusual  was  going  on  and 
that  he  felt  justified  in  firing.  I  noticed  an  unusual  noise  in  our  front  and 
crawled  beyond  our  lines  to  investigate  and  reconnoiter,  and  saw  that  a 
corps  of  pioneers  were  removing  the  obstructions  in  front  of  the  works 
of  the  enemy,  and  that  troops  were  forming  for  attack,  some  of  the  men 
having  a  white  band  on  the  arm  to  distinguish  them  in  the  dark.  Upon 
making  this  discovery,  I  immediately  crawled  back  into  our  lines  and 
directed  the  firing  of  the  pickets  on  the  entire  line  and  sent  messengers 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  troops  in  Fort  Stedman  in  my  rear, 
that  an  attack  was  being  made  All  at  once  a  thin  line  of  battle  made 
its  appearance  in  our  front  joined  by  the  pickets  of  the  enemy.  I  was 
knocked  down  by  a  club  or  musket  in  the  hands  of  a  Confederate  soldier, 
and  taken  by  the  guard  to  General  Gordon,  commanding  the  troops  of 
the  enemy.  I  gave  him  my  rank  and  duties  of  that  night  and  declined  to 
reply  to  questions  in  regard  to  Federal  troops.  At  this  time  the  main 
line  of  Confederates  had  not  gone  forward ;  the  guns  from  Fort  Stedman 
had  opened  with  one  or  two  volleys,  then  ceased.  The  Confederate 
officers  near  me  were  urging  their  men  forward,  telling  them  that  the 
first  line  of  works  had  been  captured,  also  a  general  officer.  This  was 
spread  down  the  lines  and  the  men  sprang  out  of  the  works  across  the 
lines.  At  this  time  the  firing  was  general  on  both  sides. 

At  break  of  day  General  McLaughlen  and  several  others  were 
brought  in  as  prisoners  of  war.  The  General  told  me  that  upon  hearing 
the  firing  he  jumped  up,  hastily  dressing,  and  hurried  into  the  works, 


FORT    STKDMAX. 


279 


about  one  hundred  yards  from  his  quarters  —  that  he  observed  in  the 
darkness  a  line  of  battle  firing  to  the  rear,  and  directed  them  to  fire  to 
their  front,  and  proceeded  to  put  the  troops  into  position.  At  this 
juncture  it  was  discovered  that  he  was  a  Federal  officer,  and  was 
immediately  captured.  It  seems  that  he  had  been  commanding  rebel 
troops  that  had  gotten  into  our  line  of  works. 

About  seven  o'clock  A.M.,  some  four  hundred  officers  and  men  of 
our  forces  had  been  captured,  and  we  were  marched  off  to  the  military 
prison  in  Petersburg.  About  eleven  o'clock  A.M.,  General  Robert  E.  Lee 
arrived  at  the  prison  accompanied  by  an  orderly,  and  I  had  some  con 
versation  with  him.  I  could  get  no  information  from  our  guards  as  to 
the  result  of  the  battle,  but  at  four  o'clock  P.M.  we  were  marched  to 
the  depot  to  embark  for  Richmond,  Va.  We  proceeded  some  five  miles 
out  of  the  city  on  the  old  railroad  track  in  full  view  of  our  batteries, 
.some  two  miles  away.  As  soon  as  they  discovered  us,  they  opened  fire 
on  us.  thinking  we  were  the  enemy,  and  thereby  causing  more  alarm  to 
our  guards  than  to  ourselves,  for  we  then  knew  that  our  troops  had  been 
successful  and  that  they  held  the  entire  line. 

We  were  loaded  on  passenger  and  freight  cars  and  arrived  at 
Richmond  in  the  morning  and  marched  through  the  streets  to  Libby 
Prison.  A  rather  funny  incident  occurred  a  day  or  two  after  my  arrival 
in  the  prison.  The  names  of  the  captured  officers  were  published  in  the 
Daily  Dispatch  and  my  name  caught  the  eye  of  a  friend,  the  wife  of  a 
tobacco  merchant  living  in  the  city.  The  next  morning  she  called  at  the 
prison,  accompanied  by  her  servant,  bearing  a  tray  of  lunch  for  me  and  a 
quilt.  She  was  not  allowed  to  see  me,  or  to  send  up  the  food,  and  from 
my  window  I  saw  her,  and  my  lunch,  depart  from  the  prison.  Our  food 
was  not  plentiful.  It  consisted  of  much  bone,  thinly  covered  with 
strips  of  very  dark,  tough  meat.  Some  of  the  prisoners  declared  the 
meat  to  be  the  carcasses  of  the  mules  abandoned  by  the  armies  of  the 
Peninsula. 

The  officers  decided  to  call  for  an  interview  with  the  commandant 
of  the  prison,  Major  Turner.  He  came  and  we  showed  him  the  beef  and 
told  him  our  story  of  hunger  and  suspicion  of  mule  meat.  He  stated  in 
reply  that  "the  quality  of  rations  furnished  us  was  the  same  as  that 
given  the  guard  who  guarded  our  prison,  but  that  we  did  not  have  the 
quantity,  as  we  were  doing  nothing,  and  did  not  require  so  much,  and 
that  it  was  necessary  to  economize."  We  replied  that  if  what  he  stated 
was  true  we  had  nothing  more  to  say. 

On  April  2d,  1865  (Sunday),  all  the  prisoners  in  Libby  prison  were 
marched  to  Rocketts  to  embark  for  the  Federal  lines.  The  city  was 
being  evacuated,  supplies  for  the  army  were  being  destroyed  and  the  Con 
federate  army  north  of  the  James  river  was  being  hurriedly  transferred 
to  the  front  of  Petersburg.  We  could  hear  the  guns  of  the  army  there 


280 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


very  distinctly  and  we  were  satisfied  that  the  war  was  being  closed. 
The  president  of  the  Confederacy  and  his  cabinet  were  also  leaving  the 
city,  but  they  did  not  take  the  same  direction  that  the  prisoners  of  war  did. 
We  marched  to  the  wharf  singing  patriotic  songs,  and  as  we  passed 
down  the  river  and  by  the  Confederate  gunboats,  they  were  blown  up. 
The  view  of  the  city,  the  explosion  of  war  material,  the  property  being 
destroyed  by  fire,  etc.,  were  grand.  We  were  landed  within  some  miles 
of  the  Federal  pickets  on  the  James  river  and  proceeded  to  the  head 
quarters  of  the  general  commanding  the  troops  and  notified  him  that  the 
city  of  Richmond  was  being  evacuated.  This  was  before  daylight  on  the 
morning  of  April  3d,  and  at  daylight  these  troops  advanced  and  passed 
into  the  city  without  much  opposition.  We  prisoners  w^ere  all  placed  on 
Federal  boats  and  taken  down  the  river  and  within  five  days  thereafter 
I  had  reported  for  duty  with  my  regiment.  After  the  war  I  was  in 
command  of  Libby  Prison  and  Major  Dick  Turner,  the  adjutant  of  the 
prison,  and  others  who  had  been  his  assistants  there  when  I  was  a 
prisoner,  were  now  my  prisoners.  I  afterward  took  Dick  Turner's 
parole  and  released  him. 

My  swrord,  which  was  surrendered  to  the  Confederate  commander, 
General  Gordon,  when  I  was  captured,  was  presented  to  me  by  the 
young  ladies  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  My  name  and  the  date  of 
presentation  were  engraved  on  the  scabbard.  After  the  election  of  the 
Democratic  candidate  (Cleveland)  in  November,  1892,  and  during  the 
jollification  in  the  South  over  a  Democratic  victory,  my  sword  was  re 
turned  to  me  and  I  received  it  on  Christmas  Day,  1892,  nearly  twenty- 
nine  years  after  its  capture. 

CLEVELAND,  ROWAN  COUNTY,  N.C. 

Nov.  26th,  1892. 
Captain  H.  C.  WARD. 

Dear  Sir :  On  the  26th  of  March,  1865,  I  captured  from  an  officer  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  a  sword.  There  is  engraved  on  the  upper  band 
of  the  scabbard  the  following:  ''Presented  to  Lieutenant  H.  C.  Ward, 
Company  G,  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Veterans,  by  his 
friends.  Worcester,  March  28th,  1864."  I  have  always  intended  to 
keep  it  as  a  memorial  of  the  late  contest,  in  which  bravery  was  pitted 
against  bravery,  and  noble  men  on  both  sides  sealed  with  their  blood 
their  devotion  to  their  country  and  in  defense  of  their  solemn  convic 
tions  of  duty.  But  as  we  have  convincing  proofs,  as  evidenced  by  the 
late  election,  that  sectional  bitterness  is  almost  obliterated,  and  the  fact 
that  we  are  brothers  of  one  common  country,  purpose  and  high  destiny, 
knowing  no  North,  South,  East  or  West,  breaks  npon  our  minds,  I  have 
concluded  to  return  the  sword  to  its  proper  owner,  if  to  be  found. 
Brave  men  of  the  "  Blue  and  the  Gray"  have  long  since  bridged  the  bloody 


FORT   STEDMAN. 


281 


chasm  and  grasped  hands  in  loving  forgetfulness  of  the  past;  why  is  it 
that  all  others  do  not  do  the  same  and  let  us  have  a  real  union  of  hands 
and  hearts  as  well  as  of  country?  I  will  send  by  express  as  soon  as  I 
can  get  your  address. 

Yours  respectfully, 

(Signed)  PHIL.  ALEXANDER. 

To  which  Captain  Ward  replies  as  follows :  — 

NASHVILLE,  TENN.,  Dec.  3d,  1892. 
Major  PHIL.  ALEXANDER. 

My  Dear  Major :  I  have  your  letter  of  the  26th  ultimo,  directed  to 
H.  C.  Ward  and  forwarded  to  me  by  the  postmaster  of  Worcester,  Mass. 
At  the  battle  of  Fort  Stedman  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  about  3.30  A.M., 
I  was  captured  while  brigade  officer  of  the  day,  and  in  command  of  the 
pickets  on  the  lines  of  the  Third  Brigade,  First  Division  of  the  Ninth 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  If  my  memory  is  correct,  I  was  taken  to 
General  Gordon  commanding  the  Confederate  troops  making  the  attack. 
I  had  the  sword  referred  to  at  the  time  of  my  capture,  it  having  been 
presented  to  me  by  friends  of  mine.  I  was  very  glad  to  learn  the  where 
abouts  of  the  sword  and  also  proud  to  hear  that  it  has  been  in  such 
brave  and  gallant  hands. 

I  most  heartily  endorse  the  sentiments  expressed  in  your  patriotic 
letter. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

(Signed)  HENRY    C.  WARD, 

Captain  U.S.  Army. 

On  duty  with  Governor  of  Tennessee, 

in  connection  with  National  Guard. 

After  having  received  the  sword,  Captain  Ward  made 
acknowledgment  in  the  following  words  :  — 

NASHVILLE,  TENN.,  Dec.  26th,  1892. 
Major  PHIL.  ALEXANDER. 

My  Dear  Major:  I  received  the  sword  yesterday  and  I  wish  to 
thank  you  for  your  kindness  in  the  matter  and  the  patriotic  sentiments 
expressed  in  your  very  kind  letter.  I  have  many  friends  among  those 
brave  old  soldiers  who  were  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  war. 
Long  ago  I  believe  all  animosities  were  buried  between  the  wearers  of 
the  "  Blue  and  the  Gray." 

I  am  very  sincerely  yours, 

HENRY    C.  WARD. 


282  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

MAYSFIELD,  TEXAS,  May  4th,  1893. 
CAPTAIN  WARD. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  favor  of  recent  date  in  reference  to  the  sword  and 
its  history,  was  received  after  being  detained  for  some  time  by  reason  of 
being  missent.  I  heartily  wish  that  an  opportunity  may  present  itself 
that  we  may  meet  at  some  time  and  talk  over  our  past  experience  as 
soldiers  when  we  were  deadly  enemies  (not  personally),  but  now  friends, 
endeavoring  to  build  up  our  common  country  so  as  to  make  it  the  grandest 
and  greatest  the  sun  ever  shone  upon. 

Well,  as  to  the  details  of  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Stedman.  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  I,  perhaps,  will  not  be  able  to  give  much  infor 
mation.  Subordinate  officers  knew  but  very  little  as  to  general  plans  of 
attack. 

Knowing,  as  General  Lee  must  have  known,  the  utter  hopelessness 
of  our  situation,  I  have  never  understood  why  the  attack  was  made  only 
two  or  three  days  before  our  evacuation  of  our  whole  line.  The  clay 
before  there  was  a  detail  of  picked  men  taken  from  our  brigade  which 
was  immediately  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman,  and  ordered  to  report  for  duty 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  H.  C.  Jones  (now  of  Charlotte.  N.C.). 
Other  troops  were  massed  on  the  front  and  by  four  o'clock  A.M.,  of 
March  26th,  the  whole  line  was  put  in  motion.  Colonel  Jones'  line  of 
skirmishers  cut  the  two  lines  of  chevaux-de-frise  and  other  obstructions, 
and  captured  the  fort  in  gallant  style.  So  complete  was  the  surprise 
that  very  little  resistance  could  be  made.  The  main  line,  preceded  by 
Colonel  Jones,  advanced  several  hundred  yards  beyond  the  fort  after  day 
light,  where  the  whole,  or  at  least  a  large  number,  of  Grant's  batteries 
were  brought  to  position,  and  poured  forth  such  a  fusilade  of  shot  and 
shell  that  we  retreated  to  the  fort.  There  and  then  I  had  the  most  un 
comfortable  experience  of  the  war.  I  have  had  some  close  calls  before, 
but  had  never  felt  as  if  my  time  were  up.  Now  I  began  to  think  rero 
finis  venerat.  It  seemed  that  a  shell  burst  in  our  midst  every  second.  I 
happened  to  be  near  General  Gordon  when  he  issued  orders  to  retreat  to 
our  own  works  and  made  up  my  mind  not  to  wait  for  the  regular  channel 
of  communication,  through  staft'  officers,  but  "  called  on  feet  to  save  the 
body,"  and  they  responded  quite  lively,  you  may  rest  assured. 

I've  often  thought  that  none  but  an  old  soldier  could  fully  experi 
ence  how  sweet  the  calm,  quiet  sense  of  security  that  crept  over  and  took 
possession  of  the  mind  when,  under  such  circumstances,  he  could  sud 
denly  fall  into  a  ditch  or  some  other  hole.  He  could  then  sit  back  and 
ruminate  over  the  sentiments  Virgil  makes  Tityrus  say  to  Melibaeus, 
Deus  nobz's  ha>c  otia  fecit.  I  forgot  to  say  that  it  was  near  daylight,  and 
as  I  was  passing  up  our  line,  about  half  way  between  our  respective  lines 
of  defense,  I  came  on  the  scene  of  your  capture.  You  had  already  been 
disarmed  and  the  "  Johnnie  Reb"  who  had  you  in  charge  was  just  on  the 


FOKT    STEDMAX. 


283 


point  of  passing  to  the  rear  with  you,  when  he  handed  me  your  sword. 
Separated  as  we  are  by  nearly  thirty  years  from  that  eventful  morning, 
the  words  that  passed  and  some  of  the  circumstances  that  took  place  at 
the  time  have  passed  into  the  ocean  of  forgetfulness. 

Some  ten  or  twelve  days  from  the  time  of  the  attack,  after  a  series 
of  marches  and  countermarches,  fighting  and  retreating,  the  rank  and 
file  of  the  Confederate  veterans,  begrimed  with  dirt  and  grease,  and 
emaciated  from  hunger  and  loss  of  sleep,  succumbed  to  superior  force. 
Never  did  a  truer  or  braver  people  surrender.  The  glory  of  their  brilliant 
achievements,  their  invincible  courage  and  daring  bravery,  are  enshrined 
in  the  hearts  of  our  old  men  and  women,  our  young  men  and  maidens. 
It  will  need  no  monuments  of  brass  or  tablets  of  marble  to  perpetuate 
their  memory,  because  it  will  be  handed  down  to  succeeding  generations 
as  a  precious  heirloom,  to  be  recounted  around  the  firesides  and  family 
altars  of  their  homes.  General  Gordon  in  his  farewell  address  to  his 
command  said  :  u  The  cause  for  which  we  fought  is  lost,  but  the  principle 
is  immortal  .  .  .  .  " 

Believe  me,  as  ever,  Yours  truly, 

PHIL.    ALEXANDER. 

Gen.  R.  E.  Lee  had  but  little  to  say  about  the  battle  and 
treated  the  matter  as  one  of  no  great  importance.  Reporting 
upon  it  to  the  Confederate  Secretary  of  War,  John  C.  Brecken- 
ridge,  under  date  of  March  25th,  18G5,  he  says  :  "  At  daylight 
this  morning  General  Gordon  assaulted  and  carried  enemy's  works 
at  Hare's  Hill  (called  Fort  Stedman  by  the  Federals) ,  captured 
nine  pieces  of  artillery,  eight  mortars,  between  five  and  six  hun 
dred  prisoners,  among  them  one  brigadier-general  and  a  number 
of  officers  of  lower  grade.  Enemy's  lines  were  swept  away  for 
distance  of  four  hundred  or  five  hundred  yards  to  right  and  left, 
and  two  efforts  made  to  recover  captured  works  were  handsomely 
repulsed ;  but  it  was  found  that  the  inclosed  works  in  rear,  com 
manding  enemy's  main  line,  could  only  be  taken  at  great  sacrifice, 
and  troops  were  withdrawn  to  original  position.  It  being  im 
practicable  to  bring  off  captured  guns,  owing  to  nature  of  ground, 
they  were  disabled  and  left.  Our  loss  reported  is  not  heavy. 
Among  wounded  is  Brigadier-General  Terry,  flesh  wound,  and 
Brig. -Gen.  Phil.  Cook,  in  arm.  All  the  troops  engaged,  includ 
ing  two  brigades  under  Brigadier-General  Ransom,  behaved  most 
handsomely.  The  conduct  of  the  sharpshooters  of  Gordon's  corps . 


284 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


who  led  the  assault,  deserves  the  highest  commendation.  This 
afternoon  there  was  skirmishing  on  the  right  between  the  picket 
lines,  with  varied  success.  At  dark  enemy  held  considerable  por 
tion  of  the  line  furthest  in  advance  of  our  main  works." 

Maj.-Geu.  John  B.  Parke,  commanding  the  Ninth  Corps, 
submitted  a  report  to  the  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
which  we  quote  in  part.  The  report  is  dated  April  20th,  1865  :  - 

I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  operations 
of  my  command  in  the  action  of  March  25th  ultimo.  The  line  held  by 
this  corps  extended  from  the  Appomattox  on  the  right,  with  pickets 
stretching  some  three  miles  clown  the  river,  to  Fort  Howard  on  the  left, 
a  distance  of  about  seven  miles.  The  line  was  occupied  by  the  First 
Division,  Brevet  Major-Geueral  O.  B.  Wilcox  commanding,  extending 
from  the  Appomattox  to  Fort  Meikel,  and  the  Second  Division,  Brevet 
Major-General  R.  B.  Potter  commanding,  extending  from  Fort  Meikel  to 
Fort  Howard.  The  Third  Division,  Brigadier-General  J.  F.  Hartranft 
commanding,  was  held  in  reserve,  its  right  regiment  being  posted  near 
the  Dunn  House  Battery,  and  its  left  regiment  between  Forts  Hays  and 
Howard. 

The  intrenchments  held  by  Wilcox's  division  and  Potter's  First 
Brigade,  w^ere  very  nearly  as  placed  when  the  positions  were  originally 
gained  by  our  troops,  under  tire,  and  in  so  close  proximity  to  the  enemy 
that  the  work  was  necessarily  very  defective.  This  was  especially  the 
case  with  Fort  Stedman,  where  our  lines  crossed  the  Prince  George 
Court  House  road.  This  is  a  small  work  without  bastions,  with  Battery 
No.  10  immediately  adjoining,  the  battery  open  in  the  rear,  and  the  ground 
in  rear  of  the  fort  nearly  as  high  as  its  parapet.  The  opposing  lines 
are  here  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  apart,  the  picket  lines  about 
fifty  yards.  This  portion  of  the  line  was  held  by  the  Third  Brigade, 
First  Division,  Brevet  Brigadier-General  N.  B.  McLaughlen  commanding. 
About  4.30  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  March  25th,  last,  the  enemy 
assaulted  this  front  with  Gordon's  Corps,  reinforced  by  Bushrod 
Johnson's  division.  At  4  A.M.  the  picket  line  had  been  visited  by  the 
captain  of  the  picket,  who  found  the  men  on  the  alert  and  discovered  no 
signs  of  movement  by  the  enemy. 

Taking  advantage  of  the  order  allowing  deserters  to  bring  their 
arms  with  them,  the  enemy  sent  forward  squads  of  pretended  deserters, 
who,  by  this  ruse,  gained  possession  of  several  of  the  picket  posts. 
They  were  closely  followed  by  a  strong  storming  party  of  picked  men, 
this  by  three  heavy  columns.  The  picket  line  was  overpowered  after 
one  discharge  of  their  pieces.  The  trench  guard,  though  stoutly  resist 
ing,  was  unable  to  withstand  the  rush  of  numbers,  and  the  main  line  wras 
broken  between  Batteries  9  and  10,  near  No.  10. 


FORT    STEDMAN. 


285 


The  enemy  turned  to  the  right  and  left  hand,  the  right  column  soon 
gaining  Battery  10,  which  is  open  in  the  rear,  thus  acquiring  great 
advantage  for  an  assault  on  Fort  Stedman.  The  garrison  of  Fort 
Stedman,  consisting  of  a  battalion  of  the  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery, 
under  Major  Randall,  made  a  spirited  resistance,  but  being  attacked  in 
front,  flank  and  rear,  was  overpowered  and  most  of  it  captured.  The 
artillery  in  the  fort,  consisting  of  four  light  12's.  discharged  a  dozen 
rounds  of  canister  before  being  taken.  These  guns,  as  well  as  those  in 
Battery  10,  were  at  once  turned  upon  us.  The  enemy  then  pushed 
gradually  along  the  lines  toward  Fort  Haskell,  driving  out  the  troops 
holding  Batteries  11  and  12,  neither  of  which  are  inclosed  works.  It 
was  still  quite  dark,  which  circumstance  greatly  augmented  the  diffi 
culty  of  formation  to  check  the  progress  of  the  enemy,  it  being  almost 
impossible  to  distinguish  between  friend  and  foe,  and  made  the  use  of 
artillery  upon  them  impracticable  at  any  distance.  At  the  first  alarm 
General  McLaughlen  sent  members  of  his  stall'  to  the  various  positions 
on  his  front,  and  himself  proceeded  to  Fort  Haskell,  thence  along  the 
line  to  Stedman.  He  found  that  our  troops  had  been  driven  from 
Battery  11.  He  directed  Mortar  Battery  12  to  open  on  it,  and  sent  for 
the  59th  Massachusetts,  and  on  its  arrival  recaptured  Battery  11  by  a 
bayonet  charge.  He  then  proceeded  to  Fort  Stedman  and  was  there 
taken  prisoner. 

As  soon  as  it  became  evident  at  my  headquarters  that  the  enemy 
were  attacking,  I  despatched  aides-de-camp  to  communicate  with  Generals 
Wilcox  and  McLaughlen,  ordered  General  Hartranft  to  concentrate  his 
right  brigade  and  reinforce  General  Wilcox,  and  ordered  General  Tidball, 
chief  of  artillery,  to  place  his  reserve  batteries  in  position  on  the  hills  in 
rear  of  the  point  attacked.  On  receiving  a  report  from  General  Wilcox 
and  from  members  of  my  own  staff,  of  the  state  of  affairs,  I  ordered  up 
General  Hartranft's  other  brigade,  informed  General  Wilcox  that  he 
would  be  reinforced  by  the  Third  Division,  and  directed  him  to  at  once 
reoccupy  the  works  taken.  General  Hartranft  concentrated  his  division 
with  commendable  promptitude,  his  left  regiment  having  to  move  a 
distance  of  five  miles,  he,  in  the  meantime,  promptly  and  gallantly 
attacking  with  a  regiment  of  his  right  brigade,  the  200th  Pennsylvania, 
assisted  by  detachments  from  McLaughlen's  and  Ely's  brigades,  of 
Wilcox's  division,  checking  the  enemy's  skirmishers  who  were  ad 
vancing  towards  Meade's  Station,  and  driving  them  back  to  the  line  of 
works. 

The  column  of  the  enemy  which  turned  to  the  left  hand,  after 
entering  our  line,  proceeded  along  the  trenches  in  the  direction  of 
Battery  No.  9,  taking  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  in  flank  and  rear, 
and  driving  them  from  the  trenches.  The  left  of  the  2d  Michigan,  the 
left  regiment  of  Ely's  brigade,  of  Wilcox's  division,  was  also  somewhat 
broken,  but  the  regiment  promptly  rallied  and  fought  the  enemy  over  the 


-8G  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS     VOLUNTEERS. 

traverses  so  stoutly  that  time  was  gained  to  bring  up  reinforcements 
from  the  right  of  the  brigade  and  form  a  strong  line  perpendicular  to 
the  intrenchments,  with  right  resting  near  Battery  9.  This  line  of 
troops,  assisted  by  the  artillery  from  No.  9,  No.  5  and  McGilvery, 
repulsed,  with  loss,  a  heavy  assault  on  Battery  9,  and  stopped  all  farther 
advance  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction.  The  picket  line  was  held  up  to  a 
point  to  the  left  of  Battery  9  throughout  the  engagement. 

The  rebel  column  wrhich  moved  from  Fort  Stedman  toward  Fort 
Haskell  met  with  no  better  success.  It  gained  temporary  possession  of 
Mortar  Batteries  11  and  12,  but  the  garrisons  of  those  works,  the  29th 
Massachusetts  and  100th  Pennsylvania,  quickly  rallied  on  the  left,  and 
formed,  in  conjunction  with  troops  withdrawn  from  his  left  by  Colonel 
Harriman,  commanding  First  Brigade,  Wilcox's  division,  a  line  perpen 
dicular  to  the  intrenchments,  connecting  on  their  right  wyith  Hartranft's 
troops  and  with  left  resting  near  Fort  Haskell,  checking  all  farther 
progress  of  the  enemy,  and  slowly  driving  him  back.  He  made  several 
desperate  assaults  on  Fort  Haskell,  but  was  bloodily  repulsed.  At  7.30 
A.M.  the  position  of  affairs  was  this  :  we  had  regained  Batteries  11  and 
12  and  had  drawn  a  cordon  of  troops  around  Fort  Stedman  and  Battery 
10,  forcing  the  masses  of  the  enemy  back  into  those  works  where  they 
were  exposed  to,  and  suffered  greatly  from,  a  concentrated  fire  from  all 
the  artillery  in  position  bearing  on  those  points  and  the  reserve  batteries 
on  the  hill  in  rear.  This  cordon  wras  composed  of  Hartranft's  division, 
with  regiments  from  McLaughlen's  and  Ely's  brigades  on  either  flank. 

General  Hartranft,  to  whom  I  had  confided  the  task  of  recapturing 
the  fort,  made  his  dispositions  with  great  coolness  and  skill,  and  at 
about  7.45  A.M.  advanced  his  whole  line.  His  troops,  the  vast  majority 
of  them  new  men.  for  the  first  time  under  fire,  charged  with  great  spirit 
and  resolution,  the  veterans  on  the  flanks  behaving  with  their  accustomed 
gallantry,  and  carried  the  fort  with  comparatively  small  loss.  The  cross 
infantry  and  artillery  fire  upon  the  space  between  the  opposing  lines 
deterred  many  of  the  enemy  from  attempting  to  escape,  and  caused 
severe  loss  among  those  who  made  the  trial.  Nineteen  hundred  and 
forty-nine  prisoners,  including  seventy-one  commissioned  officers,  nine 
stand  of  colors  and  many  small  arms,  fell  into  our  hands.  The  whole 
line  taken  from  us  was  at  once  reoccupied  and  all  damage  repaired  during 
the  following  night.  We  lost  no  guns  or  colors. 

(Signed)         JNO.  G.  PAKKE, 

Major- General  Commanding. 
Colonel  GEORGE  D.  RUGGLES, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General,  Army  of  the  Potomac, 

The  following  is  the  report  submitted  by  Gen.  O.  B.  Wilcox, 
commanding  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  not  quoted  in 
full :  — 


FORT    STEDMAN. 


287 


HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION,  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS. 

Colonel:  At  4.15  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  ultimo,  the 
enemy  attacked  the  intrenchments  held  by  the  Third  Brigade  of  this 
division.  The  brigade  picket  officer.  Captain  Burch,  3d  Maryland, 
reports  that  he  visited  the  picket  line  at  four  o'clock  of  that  A.M.  and 
saw  that  the  men  were  on  the  alert.  After  visiting  the  line  he  returned 
to  his  headquarters  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman  and  Battery  No.  11.  He 
states  that  in  a  few  minutes  after  his  return  a  man  on  the  lookout  gave 
notice  that  the  enemy  were  approaching.  At  the  same  time  the  men  on 
the  post,  fired  their  pieces.  One  column  moved  toward  the  right  of 
Battery  No.  10,  a  second  column  moved  toward  a  point  between  Fort 
Stedman  and  Battery  No.  11,  a  third  column  moved  direct  toward  Fort 
Stedman.  These  columns  were  preceded  by  a  strong  storming  party, 
which  broke  through  the  pickets,  clubbing  their  muskets,  and  made  open 
ings  in  the  abatis. 

The  trench  guards  made  sufficient  resistance  to  arouse  the  garrisons 
of  the  enclosed  works  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  but  the  column 
which  struck  to  the  right  of  Battery  No.  10  quickly  succeeded  in  break 
ing  through  and  effecting  an  entrance  into  that  battery,  which  is  entirely 
open  in  the  rear.  This  success  gave  them  a  great  advantage  over  Fort 
Stedman,  as  the  ground  just  in  rear  of  Battery  No.  10  is  on  a  level  with 
the  parapet  of  the  fort.  The  fort  had  also  a  comparatively  small  line  of 
infantry  parapet;  particularly  was  this  the  case  in  front,  which  was  cut 
up  with  embrasures  for  artillery.  The  garrison  of  the  fort  consisted  of 
a  detachment  of  the  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  under  Major 
Randall,  and  made  quite  a  spirited  resistance,  but  were  finally  over 
powered  and  most  of  them  captured. 

The  commanding  officer  of  the  brigade,  Brevet  Brigadier-General 
N.  B.  McLaughlen,  had  reached  Battery  No.  11  from  his  headquarters 
before  this,  and  gave  some  directions  about  the  disposition  of  the  troops 
on  the  left  flank.  The  guns  and  even  the  mortars,  in  both  Stedman  and 
Battery  No.  11.  were  used  against  the  enemy.  Detachments  of  the 
1st  Connecticut  Heavy  Artillery,  at  the  mortars,  behaved  very  hand 
somely. 

General  McLaughlen  was  captured  near  the  gorge  of  the  fort,  but 
whether  after  the  enemy  got  in,  or  while  they  were  attacking,  is 
unknown.  Captain  Swords,  ordnance  officer  on  my  staff  and  division 
staff  officer  of  the  day,  also  reached  Ford  Stedman  from  these  head 
quarters  before  it  was  fully  in  the  enemy's  possession,  and  was  captured 
at  the  fort.  The  right  column,  with  the  aid  of  troops  from  Fort  Sted 
man.  now  succeeded  in  gaining  Battery  No.  11.  Their  left  column  turned 
down  the  works  to  their  left,  towards  Battery  No.  9,  taking  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts  in  the  trenches  in  flank  and  rear,  capturing  a  part 
of  them.  The  remainder  retired  to  the  rear,  reassembled  and  afterward 
did  good  wrork  as  skirmishers,  with  General  Hartranft's  troops.  The  2d 


288  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Michigan  fought  the  enemy  on  this  flank  from  their  bomb-proofs  and 
traverses  in  the  most  spirited  manner  until  they  were  drawn  in  by  order 
of  their  brigade  commander,  Brevet  Colonel  Ralph  Ely,  to  Battery  No.  9, 
which,  though  small,  is  an  enclosed  work. 

In  pursuance  with  my  orders  Colonel  Ely  deployed,  perpendicular 
to  and  to  the  rear  of  his  intrenchments,  a  portion  of  the  1st  Michigan 
Sharpshooters  as  skirmishers,  promptly  taking  them  from  the  right  of 
our  line  for  this  purpose.  I  also  directed  him  to  press  the  enemy  on  his 
left  as  much  as  possible.  Finding  themselves  opposed  in  this  direction, 
the  enemy  halted  for  more  of  their  troops  to  come  up,  and  the  ground 
vacated  by  the  2d  Michigan  remained  unoccupied  by  either  party.  The 
enemy's  skirmishers  now  came  down  the  hill  directly  to  the  rear  of 
Stedman,  and  moved  toward  my  headquarters  at  the  Friend  House,  the 
Dunn  House  Battery,  and  in  the  direction  of  Meade's  Station,  and  this, 
for  a  time,  rendered  my  communication  with  the  Third  Brigade  long  and 
circuitous.  Meantime,  I  had  ordered  out  the  17th  Michigan  engineer 
regiment  at  my  headquarters,  and  sent  word  to  the  commanding  officers 
of  the  200th  and  209th  Pennsylvania,  encamped  between  Meade's  Station 
and  Dunn  House  Battery,  to  move  respectively,  one  to  the  Friend  House, 
the  other  in  front  of  the  Dunn  House  Battery.  These  regiments  promptly 
appeared. 

Brigadier-General  Hartranft,  commanding  the  Third  Division,  now 
came  up  in  person,  and  I  requested  him  to  move  his  available  force  direct 
upon  the  fort.  He  promptly  and  gallantly  took  command  of  the  two 
regiments  already  out,  without  waiting  for  the  rest  of  his  command.  I 
ordered  the  17th  Michigan  to  deploy  as  skirmishers  on  his  right.  This 
regiment,  with  only  one  hundred  men  in  its  ranks,  under  command  of 
Major  Mathews,  moved  forward  at  the  same  time  with  General 
Hartranft' s  line,  capturing  most  of  the  enemy's  skirmishers  in  their 
front,  about  twenty-five  in  number,  and  inclining  to  the  right,  connected 
with  the  skirmishers  of  Ely's  brigade. 

While  Hartranft  was  operating  in  rear  of  Stedman  the  enemy's 
force,  which  had  moved  down  towards  Battery  9  and  halted,  was 
reinforced  by  Ransom's  brigade,  and  opened  an  attack  upon  that  battery. 
This  attack  was  handsomely  repulsed  by  my  skirmishers  and  troops  of 
the  Second  Brigade  in  Battery  No.  9,  assisted  by  the  artillery,  particularly 
one  piece  of  Roemer's  battery,  under  Major  Roemer  himself. 

The  enemy  attempted  to  retreat  back  to  his  own  intrenchments, 
when  they  were  charged  by  detachments  of  the  2d  Michigan,  who 
captured  some  prisoners.  Troops  of  the  20th  and  2d  Michigan 
also  threw  themselves  into  the  picket  line  of  the  Second  Brigade,  and 
poured  such  a  fire  on  the  flanks  of  the  retreating  enemy  that  over  three 
hundred  threw  down  their  arms  and  surrendered  themselves  on  the  spot. 
On  our  left  the  enemy  proceeded  through  the  trenches,  driving  before 
them  the  29th  Massachusetts,  a  small  regiment,  which  made  the  best 


CHARLES    H.  PINKHAM, 

2d  Lieut.  57th  Mass.,  Bvt.  Capt.  U.S.  Vols. 


FORT   8TEDMAN. 


289 


resistance  it  could,  over  its  traverses  and  works,  being  attacked  in  front, 
tiank  and  rear. 

From  Battery  No.  11  the)7  proceeded  toward  Battery  No.  12  in  the 
same  manner,  killing,  wounding  and  capturing  a  part  of  the  100th 
Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers.  In  this  attack  Colonel  Pentecost, 
commanding  100th  Pennsylvania,  was  mortally  wounded  A  part  of  this 
regiment  was  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  the  rear,  and  a  part  went  into 
Fort  Haskell.  Brevet  Colonel  Robinson  took  a  part  of  the  3d  Maryland 
from  a  portion  of  his  line  on  the  left  of  Haskell  and  deployed  it  on  the 
left  of  the  skirmish  line  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania.  Soon  afterward 
Colonel  Robinson,  by  my  direction,  assumed  command  of  the  Third 
Brigade. 

Hartranft's  line  advanced  rapidly,  enveloping  the  rear  of  the  works. 
The  17th  Michigan,  on  the  extreme  right,  dashed  forward  and  gained  the 
trenches  lately  occupied  by  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  but  now 
held  by  the  enemy,  capturing  prisoners  on  that  side.  The  retreat  of  the 
enemy  was  soon  cut  off  by  the  troops  of  this  division  gaining  the  rear  of 
the  main  body  along  the  parapet  of  the  works,  and  a  large  number  of 
prisoners  and  some  colors  were  captured  by  the  troops  of  both  divisions. 
One  thousand  and  five  prisoners,  besides  some  of  the  wounded,  fell  into 
the  hands  of  my  own  command,  also  seven  stand  of  the  enemy's  colors, 
together  with  one  of  our  own  flagstaff's  recaptured.  It  was  found  on 
regaining  our  works  that  the  enemy,  while  they  held  possession  of  them, 
were  not  able  to  carry  off  or  effect  any  damage  on  our  artillery,  which 
they  temporarily  held  and  partially  used  against  Battery  No.  9  and  Fort 
Haskell.  They  carried  one  Coehorn  mortar  over  the  parapet,  but  it  was 
regained,  and  not  the  least  damage  was  inflicted  on  any  of  -the  guns  or 
gun  carriages.  No  colors  or  guns  were  lost  by  us. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  captors  of  enemy's  colors  in 
this  Division :  .  .  .  .  Sergeant  Major  C.  H.  Pinkham,  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts  Volunteers 

I  also  forward  herewith  the  reports  of  the  commanders  of  the 
Second  and  Third  Brigades,  and  respectfully  call  attention  to  the  recom 
mendations  for  gallantry  therein  contained.  Of  my  own  staff,  all  of 
whom  were  active  throughout  the  engagement,  I  would  honorably  men 
tion  Captain  L  C.  Brackett,  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 

for  gallantry  in  assisting  in  the  charge  of  the  Third  Division 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 

0.  B.  WILCOX, 

Colonel  P.  M.  LYDIG,  Brevet  Major- General  Commanding. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  yinth  Army  Corps. 

N.  B.  I  also  append  the  report  of  Brevet  Brigadier-General  N.  B. 
McLaughlen,  which,  as  seen  from  the  date,  was  received  subsequent  to 
the  writing  of  the  above  report.  0.  B.  WILCOX, 

Brevet  Major-General  Commanding. 


290 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Following  this  we  copy  in  full  the  report  of  Bvt.  Brig. -Gen. 
N.  B.  McLaughlen,  Colonel  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volun 
teers,  who  commanded  the  Third  Brigade,  First  Division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps,  until  taken  prisoner  as  heretofore  related,  made 
while  a  paroled  prisoner  of  war :  — 

PAROLE  CAMP, 
ANNAPOLIS,  MD.,  April  4th,  1865. 

Major :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  part  taken  by  me  in  the  fight 
at  Fort  Stedman,  March  25th,  until  captured,  which  occurred  just  before 
daylight. 

On  hearing  the  noise  of  the  attack  that  morning  I  awoke  my  staff 
and  dispatched  them  to  various  parts  of  the  line  to  get  the  troops  under 
arms,  and  proceeded  myself  to  Fort  Haskell,  garrisoned  by  a  battalion  of 
the  14th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  whom  I  found  on  the  alert  and 
ready  to  resist  an  attack.  I  then  turned  down  the  line  to  the  right, 
passing  the  100th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  who  were  already  in  their 
works,  and  Battery  12,  finding  everything  right,  and  reached  the  mortar 
battery  No.  11,  in  which  were  no  guns,  and  \vhich  wras  occupied  by  the 
29th  Massachusetts  Veteran  Volunteers.  Here  I  found  Major  Richardson 
of  that  regiment,  who  told  me  that  the  battery  was  in  the  enemy's  hands, 
and  that  his  command  had  just  been  driven  from  it.  I  at  once  sent 
orders  to  the  59th  Massachusetts  Veteran  Volunteers,  the  only  regiment 
of  my  brigade  not  in  the  line  of  works,  to  report  to  me  at  double  quick, 
and  to  Battery  12  to  turn  their  mortars  on  Battery  11,  which  was  done, 
three  shots  being  fired.  On  the  arrival  of  the  59th,  I  put  them  into  the 
work  with  fixed  bayonets  and  recaptured  it  at  once.  Supposing  that  I 
had  restored  the  only  break  in  the  line,  I  crossed  the  parapet  into  Fort 
Stedman  on  the  right,  and  meeting  some  men  coming  over  the  curtains, 
whom  in  the  darkness  I  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  the  picket,  I  estab 
lished  them  inside  the  work,  giving  directions  with  regard  to  position 
and  firing,  all  of  which  were  instantly  obeyed.  In  a  few  minutes  I  saw 
a  man  crossing  the  parapet,  whose  uniform,  in  the  dawning  light,  I 
recognized  to  be  the  enemy's,  and  I  halted  him,  asking  his  regiment. 
This  called  attention  to  myself  and  the  next  moment  I  was  surrounded 
by  the  rebels,  whom  I  had  supposed  to  be  my  men,  and  sent  to  the  rear, 
where  I  found  General  Gordon,  to  whom  I  delivered  my  sword,  and  was 
sent  by  him  to  Petersburg.  While  standing  by  General  Gordon  four 
brigades  moved  forward  toward  our  works,  their  commanders  reporting 
to  him.  While  there,  Captain  Swords  of  the  First  Division  staff  was 
brought  up,  having  been  captured  in  Fort  Stedman,  where  he  had  been 
directed  in  search  of  me,  and  also  Lieutenant  Sturgis  of  my  staff  whom 
I  had  sent  to  the  left  and  ordered  to  report  to  me  at  Fort  Stedman. 
From  Petersburg  I  was  sent  by  rail  the  same  clay  to  Libby  Prison,  at 


FORT    STEDMAN.  291 

Richmond,  Va  ,  and  remained  there  until  the  afternoon  of  April  2d, 
when  I,  with  the  other  officers  confined  there,  was  paroled  and  sent  to 
this  place,  via  Fortress  Monroe,  where  we  arrived  this  morning. 

There  were  sixteen  officers  of  my  brigade  captured  besides  myself, 
and  about  480  enlisted  men,  all  of  whom  were  paroled.  I  have  not  the 
slightest  fault  to  find  with  any  of  the  troops  of  my  command.  All  were 
vigilant  and  on  the  alert,  both  officers  and  men,  and  all  was  done  that  lay 
within  the  bounds  of  possibility.  The  enemy,  aware  of  the  recent  order 
allowing  deserters  to  bring  in  their  arms,  approached  my  picket  line  under 
that  disguise,  in  small  squads,  and  thus  surprised  the  pickets,  capturing 
them  without  any  alarm  being  given.  I  would  say  further,  that  I  have 
personal  knowledge  that  there  were  three  divisions  massed  to  break  my 
brigade  line,  those  of  Johnson  and  Gordon  making  the  attack,  and  the 
third  being  held  in  reserve,  with  cavalry  and  batteries  in  support. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  B.  McLAUGHLEN, 
Brevet  Brigadier-General,  U.S.  V., 
Commanding  3d  Brigade,  1st  Division,  9th  Army  Corps. 

To  Brevet-Major  WILLIAM  V.  RICHARDS, 
A.A.G-.  1st  Div.,  9th  Army  Corps, 
Before  Petersburg,  Va. 

Col.  Gilbert  P.  Robinson,  Third  Maryland  Volunteers,  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  brigade  after  General  McLaughlen 
had  been  taken  prisoner,  and  made  the  following  report  which  we 
give  in  part :  — 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION, 

NINTH  ARMY  CORPS,  March  28th,  1865. 

Sir:  About  3.30  A.M.,  March  25th,  the  enemy  advanced  in  several 
columns  upon  the  cluster  of  artillery  positions  known  as  Fort  Stedman, 
Batteries  10,  II  and  12.  The  garrisons  of  these  portions  of  the  line  were 
alarmed  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  picket  and  trench  guard,  and  were 
immediately  in  line  prepared  for  attack.  The  enemy's  skirmishers,  ad 
vancing  with  clubbed  muskets  and  with  their  bayonets,  broke  the  picket 
line  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman  and  advanced  to  the  abatis.  The  14th  New 
York  Artillery  and  the  29th  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  the  garrisons  of 
Stedman,  10  and  11,  were  under  arms  and  made  a  stout  resistance.  At 
about  4  A.M.  General  McLaughlen  proceeded  to  the  lines,  sending  one  aide 
to  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  to  order  them  into  line,  another  to 
the  left  of  the  brigade  to  see  that  they  were  on  the  alert  and  prepared 
for  action,  and  taking  another  with  him.  Shortly  after  the  General  left, 
a  messenger  from  Battery  11,  closely  followed  by  one  from  Fort  Stedman, 
communicated  the  facts  of  the  case  to  brigade  headquarters,  and  the  59th 


292 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Massachusetts  was  directed  to  attack  at  Battery  11  with  vigor  and  carry 
it  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  if  captured,  and  reinforce  the  works  if  not. 
The  Fifty-Seventh  was  directed  to  advance  similarly  on  Fort  Stedman. 

After  about  an  hour's  desperate  fighting,  in  which  the  works  were 
carried  back  and  forth  several  times,  the  troops  were  compelled  to  retire, 
part  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Haskell,  and  part  toward  the  railroad.  The 
100th  Pennsylvania  had  meantime  been  deployed  at  right  angles  with  their 
line  of  works,  covered  with  a  line  of  skirmishers,  but  being  unable  to 
stem  the  torrent,  divided,  three  companies  going  to  the  old  line  of  works 
in  the  rear  of  their  camp,  and  the  remainder  to  Fort  Haskell.  A  skirmish 
line  of  the  3d  Maryland  Battalion  had  meantime  been  thrown  out,  wTell 
supported,  and  upon  this  portions  of  the  brigade  were  rallied,  and  this 
line  prevented  the  result  the  enemy  evidently  had  in  view,  of  taking  Fort 
Haskell  in  reverse.  The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  had  meantime 
been  forced  back  to  the  ridge  near  Battery  Dunn,  but  there  made  head 
against  the  enemy.  Before  six  o'clock  the  208th  Pennsylvania,  which 
had  been  sent  to  our  assistance  from  the  Third  Division,  was  put  in  near 
brigade  headquarters  and  advanced  to  the  old  line  of  works  in  rear  of 
the  camp  of  the  100th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  shortly  after  other 
reinforcements  came  from  the  direction  of  Meade's  Station. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  deployed  as  skirmishers,  ad 
vanced,  covering  this  line,  and  by  a  succession  of  brilliant  skirmish 
charges  recovered  the  slope  on  which  their  camp  had  stood  and  the  crest 
above  it  overlooking  Fort  Stedman.  At  this  time  (about  8.30  A.M.),  it 
was  noticed  that  the  frequent  slight  advantages  we  had  been  gaining  since 
the  artillery  positions  were  carried  had  discouraged  the  enemy,  and  that 
even  a  clash  of  a  skirmish  line  would  break  a  partially  formed  line  of 
battle,  and  it  was  resolved  to  make  a  determined  effort  to  recover  the 
works. 

At  this  time  I  received  notice  from  General  Hartranft  that  he  was 
advancing  and  would  carry  the  works  in  fifteen  minutes,  but  catching 
sight  of  the  approaching  line,  seeing  the  demoralized  condition  of  the 
enemy,  and  fearful  that  a  large  amount  of  prisoners  might  be  lost  by 
longer  delay,  it  was  determined  to  dash  on  the  enemy  at  once,  and  the 
troops  collected  at  the  left,  consisting  of  the  largest  part  of  the  3d 
Maryland  Battalion,  the  100th  Pennsylvania,  fragments  of  the  29th  and 
59th  Massachusetts,  the  Fort  Haskell  battalion  of  the  Xew  York  Artillery 
and  what  was  left  of  the  Fort  Stedman  battalion,  charged  up  the  line 
and  along  the  works,  carrying  the  trenches  and  batteries  as  far  as  Fort 
Stedman,  into  which  almost  immediately,  from  a  direction  about  perpen 
dicular  to  the  line  of  our  charge,  came  a  portion  of  the  Third  Divisipn. 
By  9  A.M.  the  line  of  works  was  in  our  possession  again,  with  all  its 
artillery-  From  the  time  of  the  first  assault  until  the  close,  the  artillery 
at  Fort  Haskell  was  plied  with  vigor,  and  was  very  effective,  and  the 


FORT   STEDMAN.  293 

well  directed  infantry  fire  and  the  noble  courage  of  the  men,  in  and 
around  the  fort,  baffled  every  attempt  to  assault  it. 

Battery  12  (First  Connecticut  Heavy  Artillery)  kept  up  an  effective 
fire  during  the  early  part  of  the  engagement,  and  the  gun  detachments 
kept  well  at  the  front  after  being  driven  out,  and  went  up  in  the  charge 
which  gave  us  the  line  anew,  at  once  reoccupying  the  battery  and  serving 
the  mortars.  .  .  . 

The  service  will  mourn  the  loss  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  H.  Pente 
cost,  100th  Pennsylvania,  whose  cool,  good  conduct  first  checked  the 
current  of  overwhelming  disaster,  and  of  Captain  James  Doherty,  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts,  commissioned  and  acting  as  major  of  that 
regiment,  whose  determined  courage  and  excellent  disposition  greatly 
delayed  the  advance  of  the  enemy  toward  the  railroad.  Both  of  these 
officers  (since  dead)  should  be  brevetted  for  their  gallantry  this  day.  I 
have  the  honor  to  mention  the  following  officers  and  enlisted  men  for 
praise  for  deeds  set  against  their  names,  and  to  reiterate  the  eulogiums 
of  their  regimental  commanders. 


Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts   Volunteers. 

Sergeant-Major  C.  H.  Pinkham,  captured  battle-flag  of  57th  North 
Carolina  and  saved  his  own  colors  by  seizing  them  from  the  staff  while 
the  enemy  were  in  the  camp. 

First  Sergeant  George  Adams,  Company  G,  wounded  for  the 
fifteenth  time. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  S.  Chase,  Company  H,  general  good  con 
duct,  and  Sergeant  John  O'Donnell,  Company  A. 

Sergeant  William  F.  Oakes,  Company  K  (acting  officer),  for  saving 
Captain  Doherty  when  wounded,  and  First  Sergeant  William  Maguer, 
Company  B. 

Sergeant  Wesley  R.  Williams,  Company  I  (wounded),  general 
bravery,  and  Corporal  F.  S.  Cheney,  Company  C  (killed). 

General  McLaughlen  was  captured  about  4.30  A.M.,  but  I  was  not 
notified  of  the  fact  till  about  6  A.M.,  when  I  assumed  command  of  the 
brigade. 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

GILBERT  P.  ROBINSON, 

Brevet  Colonel,  United  States  Volunteers. 
Major  WILLIAM  V.  RICHARDS, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- General,  First  Division. 


294 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Lieut. -Col.  J.  M.  Tucker,  commanding  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts,  submitted  the  following  report  of  the  regiment  in 
this  affair :  — 

CAMP  OF  THE  FIFTY-SEVENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  VOL.  INF., 
BEFORE  PETERSBURG,  VA.,  March  27th,  1865. 

Captain :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  my  command  in  the  engagement  with  the  enemy  of  the 
25th:  — 

At  the  sound  of  unusually  heavy  musketry  the  command  formed 
line  of  battle  near  its  camp,  about  4  A.M.  Escaped  pickets  reported  the 
enemy  in  heavy  force  in  possession  of  the  line  of  works  in  our  front,  and 
Companies  G  and  K  were  deployed  forward  as  skirmishers,  the  regiment 
advancing  to  the  attack,  the  enemy  advancing  simultaneously  and  in  the 
darkness  effecting  the  capture  of  a  portion  of  right  wing  of  skirmish 
line.  Information  having  been  received  of  the  lodgment  made  by  the 
enemy  in  Fort  Stedman,  the  skirmishers  were  withdrawn,  and  the  regi 
ment  moved  to  the  rear  of  the  fort  with  intention  of  attempting  its 
recapture  by  assault ;  but  the  appearance  of  the  enemy  on  both  flanks 
forced  a  retirement,  which  was  conducted  in  good  order.  The  enemy's 
advance  was  checked  by  the  regiment  in  four  positions,  successively 
taken  up  while  in  line  of  retreat,  but  from  all  of  which  it  was  compelled 
to  retire  by  repeated  demonstration  on  its  flanks. 

The  crest  overlooking  the  plain  now  presented  the  best  possible 
defensive  position,  and  the  battery  at  its  summit,  the  possession  of 
which  was  evidently  the  enemy's  object,  and  which  would  have  given 
him  an  incalculable  advantage,  was  entirely  without  support.  The  regi 
ment  accordingly  took  up  position  in  its  rear;  subsequently  was  de 
ployed  as  skirmishers  to  cover  advance  of  portion  of  Third  Division, 
Ninth  Army  Corps,  and  moved  forward,  the  enemy's  skirmishers  precipi 
tately  withdrawing.  Successive  charges  were  made  to  recover  the  camp 
of  the  regiment,  the  third  of  which  was  rewarded  by  most  complete 
success,  the  enemy  fleeing  in  helpless  disorganization  or  surrendering  as 
prisoners  of  war. 

The  numerical  and  nominal  casualty  lists  have  already  been  for 
warded  you,  but  the  irreparable  loss  to  the  regiment  and  the  service  in 
the  death  of  Captain  James  Doherty,  acting  field  officer,  and  under  whose 
immediate  supervision  the  operations  of  the  regiment  were  mainly  con 
ducted,  deserves  more  particular  mention  in  this  report.  By  most 
conspicuous  bravery  invariably  displayed,  by  the  complete  subordination 
of  his  every  regard  for  his  personal  safety  in  action,  to  his  efforts  to 
secure  victory,  by  his  remarkable  executive  ability  and  tactical  skill,  he 
had  long  since  achieved  a  reputation  as  a  most  reliable,  brilliant  and  in 
valuable  officer,  and  in  consideration  of  the  pre-eminent  display  of  these 


FORT    STEDMAX. 


295 


qualities  on  the  25th,  and  of  the  large  contribution  to  the  gratifying 
result  made  by  his  efforts,  I  earnestly  recommend  that  promotion  by 
brevet  or  otherwise  be  awarded  his  name. 

First  Lieutenant  Albert  M.  Murdock,  killed  with  the  colors  of  the 
regiment  in  his  hands,  which  he  had  grasped  to  lead  a  charge,  deserves 
especial  mention  for  gallantry. 

To  every  officer  of  the  command  present  in  the  action  I  know  that 
honorable  mention  for  distinguished  services  is  due,  but  as  they  are  a  unit 
co-operated  in  the  execution  of  the  movements  resulting  so  successfully 
so  to  them  collectively  do  I  confer  my  obligations. 

The  following  enlisted  men  were  observed  as  conducting  themselves 
bravely  and  performing  specific  acts  of  gallantry,  enumerated  below, 
viz.  :  - 

Sergeant-Major  Charles  H.  Pinkham,  captured  battle  flag  of  Fifty- 
Seventh  North  Carolina  (rebel)  ;  saved  colors  of  his  regiment  from  cap 
ture,  seizing  them  from  a  tent  after  the  enemy  had  entered  the  regi 
mental  camp. 

First  Sergeant  George  Adams,  Company  G,  conspicuous  bravery  on 
skirmish  line,  receiving  his  fifteenth  wound,  continuing  with  regiment 
after  being  wounded. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  S.  Chase,  Company  H,  acting  color  sergeant, 
general  good  conduct. 

Sergeant  John  O'Donnell,  Company  A,  rallying  and  encouraging 
his  men ;  had  participated  in  every  engagement  with  his  company  and 
regiment  since  its  entry  into  service. 

Sergeant  William  F.  Oakes,  Company  K  (missing  in  action  and 
acting  lieutenant),  gallantry  while  in  command  of  portion  of  skirmish 
line ;  carried  Captain  Doherty  to  rear ;  resisted  attempt  of  enemy  to  kill 
him  (Doherty)  after  being  taken  prisoner. 

First  Sergeant  William  Magner,  Company  B,  general  bravery. 

Sergeant  Wesley  R.  Williams,  Company  I  (wounded),  general 
bravery. 

Corporal  Frederick  S.  Cheney,  Company  C  (killed),  color  corporal, 
general  bravery. 

I  am,  Captain,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  M.  TUCKER, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Fifty -Seventh  Massachusetts 

Volunteer  Infantry  Commanding  Regiment. 
Captain  THOMAS  W.  CLARKE, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- General, 

Third  Brigade,  First  Division,  Ninth  Army  Corps. 


296 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


These  reports  give  as  good  description  of  this  engagement, 
in  brief,  as  any  that  has  been  made  in  history.  One  of  the  most 
reliable  of  American  historians,  Lossing,  falls  into  great  error  in 
saying  (Page  537,  Vol.  III.,  "History  of  the  Civil  War")  that 
upon  the  charge  of  the  enemy,  "the  guns,  abandoned  without  a 
struggle,  were  immediately  turned  upon  our  redoubts  near,  known 
as  Batteries  Nine,  Ten  and  Eleven,  and  the  connecting  line  of  in- 
trenchments,  compelling  their  instant  vacation."  The  descriptions 
of  this  battle,  given  by  eye-witnesses,  and  official  reports,  do  not 
justify  the  statement  that  ' '  guns  were  abandoned  without  a 
struggle."  In  every  place  a  heroic  struggle  was  made  until  the 
overwhelming  force  of  the  assailants  gained  either  the  flank  or 
rear  of  a  position,  which  was  then  only  abandoned  to  gain  a  more 
advantageous  ground  upon  which  to  make  a  more  effective  resist 
ance. 

We  think  the  same  author  makes  another  error  on  the  same 
page,  where  he  says,  speaking  of  the  first  onslaught :  "  That  was 
the  moment  when  Lee's  army  might  have  passed  through  and 
crowned  the  hill  in  the  rear  with  their  guns  and  men.  It  did 
not  and  the  golden  moment  was  lost  forever.  The  troops  were 
not  ordered  forward,  or  failed  to  respond." 

This  is  a  mere  matter  of  opinion  which  does  not  appear  based 
upon  good  grounds.  We  admit  that  it  could  have  been  done  if 
the  Federal  troops  had  remained  passive,  but  they  did  not. 
Though  surprised  at  first,  they  quickly  recovered  from  it.  Other 
troops  following  those  that  had  already  charged,  could  not 
have  helped  matters  in  the  least,  even  if  they  had  reached  our 
lines  with  unbroken  ranks,  which  would  have  been  almost  an  im 
possibility,  under  the  severe  cross  fire  from  our  guns  to  the  right 
and  left  of  those  on  the  hill  in  rear.  Even  if  General  Gordon's 
infantry  had  gained  this  hill,  it  would  have  been  beyond  all  reason 
to  suppose  that  their  artillery  could  have  been  brought  forward 
through  our  works,  and  over  all  the  obstructions  that  stood  in  the 
way.  Under  the  heavy  fire  which  they  would  have  to  pass,  not  a 
battery  horse  could  have  lived  to  cross  the  space  between  the 
lines.  Our  ground  was  so  broken  up  into  trenches,  batteries, 
redoubts,  covered  ways,  etc.,  that  infantry  soon  lost  all  formation 


FORT    STEDMAN.  297 

and  were  unable  to  move  forward  in  anything  like  order.  Had 
General  Gordon  succeeded  in  capturing  the  hill  referred  to,  he 
would  have  been  without  adequate  defences  and  artillery,  and  he 
would  not  have  been  able  to  hold  it  long  with  the  whole  Federal 
army  concentrating  upon  him ;  and,  instead  of  surrendering  a 
part,  he  would  eventually  have  been  forced  to  surrender  his  Whole 
force. 

Neither  was  there  any  lack  of  "  promptness  "  on  either  side ; 
both  acted  with  the  greatest  celerity.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  it  was  very  dark,  and  confusion,  to  those  not  acquainted 
with  the  intricacies  of  our  defence,  was  inevitable.  The  most  that 
General  Lee  had  hoped  for  was  that  General  Gordon  might 
possibly  gain  and  hold  an  advantage  until  daylight,  when  he  could 
move  his  whole  army  through  the  breach,  move  south  and  join  the 
army  under  General  Johnston.  He  was  fully  aware  that  General 
Grant  was  making  preparations  for  a  grand  move,  with  a  largely 
superior  force,  which  would  render  his  position  around  Petersburg 
untenable.  His  army  had  already  been  stretched  out  to  protect  his 
right  from  the  attacks  that  were  constantly  falling  upon  it,  until 
it  could  stand  no  further  stretching  without  breaking ;  and  again 
his  source  of  supplies  was  being  cut  off  and  it  was  evident  that  he 
must  soon  abandon  his  position.  This  was  his  dernier  resort  and 
with  its  failure  faded  the  last  ray  of  hope  which  he  might  have 
entertained. 

Looking  at  the  affair  from  a  military  standpoint,  we  must 
say  that  it  was  a  brilliant  feat  of  arms  upon  the  part  of  the  Con 
federates.  Their  troops  were  ably  commanded  and  gallantly  led. 
They  did  all  that  it  was  possible  for  brave  men  to  do,  even  if 
they  did  suffer  defeat.  It  was  simply  an  impossibility,  under  the 
conditions  that  existed,  for  them  to  succeed.  We  fail  to  see 
where  any  mistakes  were  made  on  either  side.  No  student  of 
military  science  can  point  out  anything  that  was  left  undone  that 
could  by  any  possibility  have  been  done.  Critics  only  show 
their  ignorance  of  the  situation,  and  military  matters  in  general, 
when  they  attempt  it.  When  criticism  falls  upon  the  Confederate 
leader,  we  have  only  to  say,  "Put  yourself  in  his  place."  In 
him  there  was  neither  lack  of  courage  or  generalship. 


298  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

General  Parke,  who  commanded  all  the  troops  engaged,  very 
justly  gave  General  Hartranft  great  praise  "for  the  skill  and 
gallantry  displayed  in  handling  his  troops,"  while  General  Meade 
issued  an  order  congratulating  General  Parke  for  his  success  and 
praising  the  firm  bearing  of  the  troops. 

In  General  Grant's  report  of  the  engagement  of  Fort  Sted- 
man,  he  says:  "At  4.15  A.M.  the  enemy  assaulted  our  centre  in 
front  of  Fort  Stedman,  which  they  carried  after  a  stubborn 
resistance  on  the  part  of  the  garrison.  The  division  *  temporarily 
lost  possession  of  one  enclosed  work  and  a  battery,  but  holding 
the  rest  of  its  line  steadily,  at  first  was  entirely  occupied  in  repel 
ling  the  repeated  attacks  of  the  enemy  on  other  points,  and 
finally  assuming  the  offensive,  with  the  help  of  the  Third 
Division,  Ninth  Corps,  pressed  the  enemy  and  recaptured  the 
works  they  had  lost  at  8.30  A.M.,  without  the  loss  of  a  gun  or 
color." 

This  fails  to  confirm  Lossing's  statement,  heretofore  referred 
to,  that  "  The  assailants  met  no  resistance." 

At  the  time  of  this  engagement,  President  Lincoln  was 
visiting  General  Grant  at  his  headquarters  at  City  Point,  where 
he  passed  the  night  and  arrived  on  the  lines  in  time  to  witness 
the  last  charge  of  the  Federal  troops  from  the  crest  near  the 
Dunn  House  Battery. 


Referring  to  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  —  J.  A. 


A.    W.    COOKE, 

Capt.  57th  Mass. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


NEARING   THE   END. 

)IRECTLY  after  the  battle  of   Fort  Stedman,   Lieut. - 
Col.    J.   M.   Tucker  was    granted    a    short    leave  of 
absence  and  the  regiment  was  commanded  by  Capt. 
A.  W.  Cooke,  until  the  morning  of    April  3d,  when 
the    latter    was   detailed    on    the    staff    of    Col.    James 
Bintliff,  commanding  Third  Brigade  of  the  First  Division  ^ 
as  Assistant  Provost  Marshal.     Capt.  George  E.  Barton 
succeeded  Captain  Cooke  in  command. 

The  battle  of  Fort  Stedman  was  one  of  those  spasmodic 
efforts  which  often  precede  the  final  dissolution,  yet  the  Con 
federate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  was  destined  to  die  hard. 
Every  indication  now  pointed  to  an  early  evacuation  of  Peters 
burg,  but  where  the  enemy  would  go,  or  what  he  would  do,  no 
one  could  conjecture.  Knowing  that  there  was  plenty  of  fight 
still  left  in  him,  all  felt  that  the  result  would  not  be  reached 
without  another  severe  struggle,  but  few  dreamed  that  the  much 
desired  end  was  so  near.  Although  the  Fifty- Seventh  partici 
pated  in  the  general  operations  which  terminated  in  the  final 
surrender,  Fort  Stedman  was  their  last  battle. 

General  Grant  still  persevered  in  his  original  plan  of  turning 
the  right  flank  of  the  enemy.  It  was  hoped  that  by  swinging  the 
army  far  enough  around  to  the  left,  the  Confederates  would  not 
be  able  to  dig  trenches  fast  enough  to  keep  pace  wTith  it,  and 
some  point  must  eventually  be  reached  where  they  would  be 
forced  out.  Their  main  line  was  too  strong  to  admit  of  a  direct 
assault.  It  had  been  strengthened  and  protected  by  every  device 
known  to  engineering  skill,  and  even  torpedoes  placed  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  ground  in  front,  over  which  an  attacking  column 


300 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


would  have  to  pass.  Three  lines  of  abatis  and  chevaux-de-frise 
and  deep,  broad  ditches  to  cross  before  the  parapets  could  be 
scaled,  rendered  their  works  so  strong  that  a  small  force  could 
hold  them  against  many  times  their  number.  What  was  true  of 
their  line  was  also  true  of  ours,  with  this  difference,  that  we  were 
the  assailants,  but,  as  it  required  comparatively  few  men  to  hold 
the  intrenched  lines,  General  Grant  was  enabled  to  take  a  large 
force  to  operate  on  Lee's  right.  The  order  which  had  been  issued 
for  the  movements  to  commence  on  the  29th,  had  not  been 
changed,  and  the  entire  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  ordered  to  be 
ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice. 

All  the  surplus  baggage  and  stores  were  sent  to  the  depot  at 
City  Point  for  storage  and  every  preparation  made  for  the  coming 
campaign.  The  order  in  detail  was  issued  March  27th.  The 
march  commenced  on  the  29th  with  General  Sheridan  in  com 
mand  of  all  the  cavalry,  who  was  ordered  to  move  at  an  early 
hour  across  Hatcher's  Run,  through  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  to 
gain  the  right  and  rear  of  the  Confederate  army,  with  the 
secondary  object  of  striking  the  South  Side  Railroad.  General 
Sheridan  was  closely  followed  by  the  Fifth  Corps  and  about  one- 
half  the  army  of  the  James,  with  the  Second  Corps  in  support, 
while  the  Sixth  and  Ninth  Corps,  the  latter  on  the  right,  were 
extended  so  as  to  hold  the  lines  in  front  of  Petersburg.  The  left 
of  the  Ninth  Corps  was  extended  to  Fort  Davis. 

General  Lee  anticipated  the  movement  towards  his  right, 
and,  most  probably,  understood  it  about  as  well  as  if  he  had  seen 
the  order.  He  reasoned  from  a  military  standpoint  that  good 
generalship  would  dictate  this  course  to  General  Grant.  The 
latter  never  gave  up  the  idea  of  a  direct  assault  and  had  the 
object  in  view  of  compelling  Lee  to  so  weaken  his  line  in  front  of 
Petersburg  to  meet  the  force  that  was  massing  on  his  right  that 
the  Sixth  and  Ninth  Corps  would  be  able  to  make  a  successful 
assault  in  connection  therewith. 

We  do  not  propose  to  follow  this  in  detail,  as  it  has  been 
repeatedly  told  in  story  and  forms  one  of  the  grandest  chapters  in 
American  history.  It  led  to  the  battle  of  Five  Forks,  and  a  few 
days  later  to  the  final  surrender  at  Appomattox.  There  is  one 


XEARING    THE    END. 


301 


point,  however,  of  general  interest,  which  has  so  often  been 
brought  into  question,  that  we  beg  the  patient  indulgence  of  the 
reader  while  we  pause  to  consider  it.  That  is  the  one  in  regard 
to  the  actual  strength  of  the  opposing  armies.  It  has  never  been 
claimed  otherwise  than  that  the  Confederates  were  outnumbered, 
but  not  in  such  great  proportion  as  their  writers  are  fond  of 
asserting.  The  truth  of  history  has  credited  them  with  all  the 
valor  they  can  justly  claim,  without  endeavoring  to  exaggerate  it 
beyond  the  bounds  of  reason. 

The  morning  report  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  the 
opening  of  the  campaign,  March  31st,  1865,  shows  its  effective 
strength  present  for  duty,  viz.  :  3.064  officers  and  68,956  enlisted 
men  of  infantry,  147  officers  and  5,705  enlisted  men  of  artillery, 
with  243  guns,  while  the  Army  of  the  James,  acting  in  conjunc 
tion  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  numbered  1,258  officers  and 
32,009  enlisted  men  of  infantry,  86  officers  and  2,991  enlisted 
men  of  artillery,  with  126  guns.  To  this  force  should  be  added 
611  officers  and  13,209  enlisted  men  of  cavalry,  making  a  grand 
total  of  all  three  arms  of  the  service,  of  5,166  officers  and  122,870 
enlisted  men,  with  369  guns;  but  of  this  force  nearly  20,000 
belonging  to  the  army  of  the  James,  did  not  participate  in  the 
final  battles  and  assault,  but  remained  in  position  upon  the  James 
river  and  guarded  the  depot  of  supplies  at  City  Point. 

The  latest  Confederate  report,  found  among  the  archives  now 
in  possession  of  the  War  Department,  is  dated  Feb.  20th,  1865, 
which  gives  the  effective  strength  of  General  Lee's  army,  "  armed 
and  equipped  and  present  for  duty,"  as  follows:  2,762  officers 
and  36,404  enlisted  men  of  infantry,  504  officers  and  7,143 
enlisted  men  of  cavalry,  313  officers  and  5,531  enlisted  men  of 
artillery.  To  this  should  be  added  Rosser's  cavalry  division, 
about  1,500  men,  the  garrison  of  Richmond  2,700,  and  Wise's 
brigade  with  the  garrison  of  Petersburg,  about  2,000  men. 
There  were  other  outlying  detachments  not  embraced  in  this 
report,  all  of  which  would  make  General  Lee's  effective  force, 
which  he  could  bring  into  the  field,  not  less  than  58,000  officers 
and  men. 


302  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

According  to  Confederate  Inspection  Reports  made  from  Feb. 
24th  to  March  1st,  1865,  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  had  an 
effective  force,  present  for  field  duty,  of  3,005  officers  and  43,052 
enlisted  men.  This  also  fails  to  give  the  report  of  troops  in  the 
department  of  Richmond,  Rosser's  Cavalry  Division  and  other 
detachments  that  properly  belonged  to  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  which,  if  added,  would  make  the  Confederate  effective 
strength  not  far  from  the  figures  we  have  given.  The  number  of 
guns  which  they  had  in  position  was  apparently  larger  in  propor 
tion  to  the  strength  of  their  army  than  that  of  the  Federals. 

The  estimated  strength  of  the  Confederate  army  which  we 
have  given  is  doubtless  too  small. 

It  is  no  small  undertaking,  that  of  attempting  to  dig  out 
58,000  men  from  their  strongholds,  brave  and  desperate  men, 
skilfully  commanded,  who  are  resolved  to  fight  to  the  bitter  end. 
Those  who  think  this  task  can  be  accomplished  with  a  force 
equally  as  large,  brave  and  well  led,  have  never  been  where  they 
could  see  it  tried. 

While  the  movement  was  being  made  to  the  left,  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts  continued  to  hold  their  position  to  the 
left  of  Fort  Stedman.  Frequent  demonstrations  were  made  by 
both  sides,  generally  with  some  loss. 

About  10.30  the  night  of  the  29th,  the  enemy  commenced  to 
throw  up  signal  rockets  and  opened  fire  along  the  whole  front  of 
the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  The  artillery  fire  in  front 
of  the  First  Brigade  was  concentrated  on  Fort  Morton,  that  in 
front  of  the  Third  Brigade  on  Fort  Stedman.  At  the  same  time 
the  enemy  poured  an  infantry  fire  upon  our  lines  from  their  main 
works  and  advanced  a  line  of  battle  as  far  as  the  skirmish  pits 
in  front  of  the  left  of  the  Third  Brigade,  near  the  Norfolk  Rail 
road  bridge.  Our  pickets  made  a  stubborn  resistance,  but  were 
temporarily  driven  back.  The  further  advance  of  the  enemy  was 
checked  by  the  fire  from  our  main  works  and  subsequently  the 
picket  line  was  restored.  The  artillery  fire  ceased  in  about  an 
hour  and  an  assault  was  apprehended,  but  was  not  made.  This 
had  no  effect  upon  any  portion  of  our  main  line  and  did  not 
silence  any  of  our  guns.  General  Wilcox  said:  "It  was  the 


NEARING    THE    END. 


303 


heaviest  firing  of  all  arms  combined  I  have  ever  known  from  the 
enemy  on  this  line.  Great  credit  is  due  the  troops  for  their 
steadiness."  The  attack  was  repulsed,  but  our  loss  was  nine 
killed,  forty  wounded  and  two  missing,  all  from  the  First  Divi 
sion.  The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  lost  four  men  wounded, 
names  unknown.  This  demonstration  was  doubtless  made  as  a 
kind  of  speculation  to  ascertain  about  what  force  General  Grant 
had  left  to  hold  the  trenches,  and  whether  the  conditions  were 
favorable  for  another  assault  upon  our  lines,  with  the  alluring 
prize  of  our  base  of  supplies  at  City  Point.  It  resulted  in  their 
disappointment,  and  their  hungry  cravings  had  to  be  endured  a 
while  longer.  Officers  in  charge  of  our  signal  stations  reported 
unusual  activity  within  the  enemy's  lines.  Heavy  fire  of  mortar 
guns  was  indulged  in,  at  intervals,  during  the  day  and  night,  fre 
quently  accompanied  by  the  familiar  whirring,  swishing  Whitworth 
shell ;  the  latter  travelled  with  greater  rapidity,  nearer  the  ground, 
and  were  more  destructive.  One  passed  directly  through  the 
tent  of  Capt.  A.  W.  Cooke. 

Orders  were  issued  for  the  exercise  of  extreme  vigilance,  to 
guard  against  another  surprise  like  Stedmau.  The  troops  were 
ordered  to  turn  out  and  stand  under  arms  an  hour  before  dark  in 
the  evening  and  an  hour  before  day  in  the  morning ;  while  the 
trench  guard  was  doubled.  This,  with  the  long  line  to  be 
defended,  gave  the  men  but  little  rest.  They  had  been  actively 
engaged  and  under  fire  nearly  every  day  for  the  previous  ten 
months,  and  the  unusual  strain  of  the  few  days  following  Sted- 
man  had  wellnigh  exhausted  them ;  and  then  the  uncertain 
expectancy  of  what  was  coming  was  wearing  on  the  nerves. 

The  order  for  the  movements  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  issued  by  General  Meade  under  date  of  March  27th,  1865. 
That  portion  which  relates  to  the  Ninth  Corps  is  given  below  :  — 

Fourth.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  Ninth  Corps  will  hold  his 
present  line  until  notified  of  the  abandonment  of  the  Sixth  Corps 
line  by  that  corps,  when  he  will  take  up  the  return  from  Fort  Davis  to 
his  left  .... 

Thirteenth.  Major -General  Parke  will  assume  command  of  the 
line  of  works  from  Fort  Cummings  to  the  Appomattox,  including  the 


304 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


defences  of  City  Point  and  the  troops  now  garrisoning  that  post  and 
line  of  works.  He  will  keep  up  a  threatening  attitude  with  the  force  at 
his  disposal,  and  in  case  he  should  discover  any  weakness  on  the  part 
of  the  enemy,  he  will  attack  at  once,  and  with  his  whole  force  if 
necessary  .... 

The  orders  relating  to  General  Sheridan's  cavalry  and  the 
Army  of  the  James  were  issued  separately  by  General  Grant. 
All  surplus  wagon  trains,  artillery  and  other  impedimenta  which 
could  not  be  taken  on  the  march  with  the  troops,  were  left  in  rear 
of  the  Ninth  Corps  and  at  City  Point,  so  that  the  m^rch  could 
be  made  with  as  little  incumbrance  as  possible.  All  division, 
brigade  and  regimental  commanders  of  the  Ninth  Corps  were 
instructed  to  make  every  provision  to  have  their  commands  in 
thorough  condition  for  field  operations  by  five  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  29th,  and  to  be  in  complete  readiness  to  move  at 
a  moment's  notice. 

It  was  believed  that  the  enemy  was  weakening  his  force  in 
front  of  Petersburg  to  meet  the  troops  which  were  massing  on  his 
right ;  an  assault  was  therefore  ordered  by  the  Sixth  and  Ninth 
Corps  to  take  place  at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  31st. 
The  Second  and  Third  Divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps  were  concen 
trated  in  rear  of  Fort  Sedgwick  for  this  purpose,  while  the  First 
Division  on  the  right  was  to  make  a  feint  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman, 
and  if  the  conditions  warranted,  the  feint  to  be  converted  into  a 
real  attack ;  a  detail  of  picked  men  was  made  from  the  brigade  to 
form  a  party  of  axemen  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  away  the  abatis 
and  removing  other  obstructions  in  front  of  the  enemy's  parapets 
to  give  room  for  an  assaulting  column.  Lieut.  James  H.  Marshall, 
of  the  Fifty- Seventh,  volunteered  to  lead  them.  The  assaulting 
column,  composed  of  the  29th,  57th  and  59th  Massachusetts,  was 
to  move  forward  as  soon  as  the  axemen  had  cleared  the  way. 
Such  a  hazardous  undertaking  was  accompanied  with  very  little 
hope  for  the  axemen  and  none  to  spare  for  the  assaulting  force. 
The  probabilities  were  that  none  of  the  former  would  have  escaped 
alive.  As  there  were  three  lines  of  abatis  to  cut  away,  consider 
able  time  would  necessarily  have  been  consumed  in  doing  it, 


GEORGE    E.    WHITE, 

Member  of  54th  Congress  from  Illinois. 
Co.  I,  57th  Mass. 


NEARING    THE    END. 


305 


during  which  they  would  have  been  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  in  the  trenches  at  short  range,  with  no  protection  whatever. 

The  night  was  dark  and  rainy  and  the  artillery  firing  heavy 
along  the  whole  line.  Men  became  tired  and  nervous  from  the 
long  tedious  waiting.  Moments  seemed  hours  ;  the  suspense  was 
painful.  The  signal  for  the  charge  was  to  be  the  firing  of  two 
guns  from  Division  Headquarters.  This  was  eagerly  listened  for, 
but  was  not  heard.  Daylight  dawned  and  it  was  learned,  much 
to  the  relief  of  all  who  were  to  participate,  that  the  order  had  been 
suspended.  It  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy  still  held  their 
works  in  front  of  the  Ninth  Corps  in  force,  and  that  the  movement 
upon  his  right  had  not  been  sufficiently  developed  to  insure  much 
hope  of  success. 

A  deserter  from  our  side,  preferring  to  fly  to  ills  he  knew  not 
of  rather  than  bear  those  he  already  had,  gave  the  enemy  full  in 
formation  of  the  contemplated  assault,  so  they  were  prepared  for 
it.  Soon  after  daylight  the  next  morning  a  voice  from  the  Con 
federate  trenches  called  out :  "  Well,  Yank,  why  didn't  you  come 
over  and  cut  away  the  abatis  last  night?  " 

Statements  have  been  made  that  this  threatened  assault  was 
only  a  feiht  to  deceive  the  enemy,  and  that  special  care  was  taken 
that  he  should  find  it  out,  and  it  would  thus  be  the  means  of  re 
taining  a  greater  force  in  our  front  than  would  otherwise  be  sent 
to  confront  the  troops  operating  upon  the  rebel  right  flank.  Others 
claim  that  it  was  no  ruse,  but  intended  for  a  bona-fide  attack. 
Whichever  way  it  was  there  is  just  as  much  credit  due  the  brave 
Marshall  for  volunteering. 

After  careful  search  of  the  records  on  file  in  the  War  Depart 
ment,  we  could  find  nothing  that  would  indicate  the  affair  to  be  a 
ruse.  The  Ninth  Corps  had  been  ordered  to  attack,  but  the 
details  of  it  were  left  to  General  Parke.  The  order  was  never 
countermanded,  but  somewhat  modified.  To  show  that  it  was  no 
ruse  we  quote  the  following  extract  from  a  despatch  sent  by 
General  Grant  at  8.30  P.M.  of  the  30th,  addressed  to  General 
Meade  :  — 

You  may  notify  Parke  and  Wright  that  they  need  not  assault  in  the 
morning.  They  should,  of  course,  watch  their  fronts  and  go  in  if  the 


306 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


enemy  strips  to  go  in  on  our  left,  but  the  idea  of  a  general  attack  by  them 
is  suspended.  I  have  pretty  much  made  up  my  mind  on  the  course  to 
pursue,  and  will  inform  you  in  the  morning  what  it  is  .... 

(Signed)  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Lieutenant-  General. 

On  the  first  of  April  the  order  for  the  assault  was  given  as 
follows  :  — 

HEADQUARTERS  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

April  1st,  18G5. 

Division  Commanders:  In  accordance  with  instructions  from  the 
Major-General  commanding  the  Army,  the  following  orders  are  issued. 
An  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  in  front  of  Fort  Sedgwick  will  be 
made  at  4  A.M.  tomorrow,  by  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions  and  the 
First  Brigade  of  the  First  Division. 

1.  Brigadier-General  Hartranft,  commanding  Third  Division,  will 
mass  his  division  in  rear  of  the  line  between  Fort  Sedgwick  and  Fort 
Rice  by  three  A.M. 

2.  Major-General  Potter,  commanding  Second  Division,  will  with 
draw  his  division  from  the  line  and  mass  it  in  rear  and  to  the  left  of  Fort 
Sedgwick  and  on  the  left  of  the  Third  Division  at  the  same  time. 

3.  Major-General  Wilcox,  commanding  First  Division,  will  with 
draw  his  First  Brigade,  Colonel  Harriman  commanding,  from  the  line 
and  mass  it  on  the  right  of  the  Third  Division  at  the  same  time. 

4.  Major-General  Wilcox  and  Major-General  Potter  will  leave  their 
picket  lines  out  and  garrisons  in  the  forts. 

5.  At  4  A.M.  the  entire  picket  line  will  advance,  endeavoring  to  hold 
all   ground   gained,  and   the   assaulting   columns  will  charge.      Strong 
pioneer  parties,  provided  with  spades  and  axes,  will  be  arranged  by  the 
commanders  of  divisions. 

6.  Major-General  Wilcox  will  hold  his  other  two  brigades  in  readi 
ness  to  advance  upon  the  enemy's  works  in  his  front  on  receipt  of  orders. 
They  will  not  be  withdrawn  from  the  line  until  further  orders. 

7.  Quartermasters,  Commissary  of   Subsistence  and  Medical  De 
partments  will  make  their  dispositions  accordingly. 

8.  After  3.30  A.M.  corps  headquarters  will  be  at  the  Avery  House, 
Third  Division  Headquarters. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  JOHN   C.  YOUNGMAN, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


NEARIXG    THE    END.  307 

About  ten  o'clock  that  night  (April  1st),  our  artillery  opened 
along  the  whole  line,  from  the  James  river  to  our  extreme  left  on 
the  South  Side  Railroad,  which  was  vigorously  responded  to  by 
that  of  the  enemy  along  their  entire  front.  The  "  lost  cause  "  was 
going  down  under  a  halo  of  glory.  It  was  a  magnificent  display. 
The  whole  heavens  were  ablaze  with  burning  fuse  and  bursting 
shells  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  The  twinkling  stars  seemed 
to  join  in  this  Yankee  Te  Deum  for  the  national  victory  and 
national  peace.  There  seemed  to  be  an  unusual  stir  in  Petersburg 
and  a  loud  explosion  was  heard  during  the  night. 

The  pickets  of  the  First  Division  were  pushed  forward  in 
front  of  Fort  Stedman,  and  our  artillery,  which  for  a  time  had 
ceased  firing,  again  opened.  While  the  attention  of  the  enemy 
was  directed  to  this  the  troops  wrhich  had  been  formed  in  rear  of 
Fort  Sedgwick  for  the  assault,  moved  forward  promptly  at  four  A.M. 
(April  2d)  and  were  launched  forth,  amid  the  thundering  roar  of 
cannon,  upon  the  enemy's  works.  They  were  received  with  a 
storm  of  grape  and  canister  and  musketry,  but  swept  impetuously 
forward  through  the  deadly  tempest,  through  the  ditch,  tearing 
away  the  abatis,  scaling  the  walls  over  the  parapets  and  finally 
planting  the  national  colors  upon  the  enemy's  battlements,  and 
there  to  stay.  Twelve  guns,  a  number  of  colors  and  eight  hun 
dred  prisoners  were  the  trophies  won  by  the  Third  Division. 

The  Second  Division  met  with  a  still  greater  resistance  and 
gained  the  enemy's  works  only  by  driving  him  from  traverse  to 
traverse  in  a  hand-to-hand  conflict.  The  enemy  bravely  struggled 
with  almost  superhuman  effort  and  with  a  perfect  disregard  of  all 
danger  at  every  point  assailed.  Fort  Gregg  was  held  by  them 
with  a  force  of  less  than  three  hundred  men.  It  was  attacked  by 
troops  of  the  Twenty-Fourth  Corps  under  General  Gibbon  and 
finally,  after  a  most  desperate  resistance,  taken.  Of  the  garrison 
fifty-five  men  were  found  dead  in  the  fort,  which,  with  the 
wounded,  left  only  about  thirty  men  for  duty,  while  the  loss 
inflicted  upon  the  Federals  was  much  greater. 

The  Confederate  outer  line  of  works  was  now  in  our  posses 
sion  and  they  were  forced  back  to  an  interior  line,  which  was 
gallantly  assailed  by  the  Second  Division,  Ninth  Corps,  but 


308  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

which  proved  unsuccessful.  General  Potter,  commanding  the 
division,  was  severely  wounded,  by  being  shot  through  the  body, 
in  the  midst  of  the  conflict.  Both  sides  fought  with  a  gallantry 
that  showed  they  had  lost  none  of  their  bravery  or  determi 
nation.  The  Second  and  Sixth  Corps,  with  part  of  the  army  of 
the  James,  further  to  the  left,  had  also  been  successful.  During 
the  day  the  Sixth  Corps  reached  the  stormy  banks  of  the  Appo- 
mattox  to  the  southwest  of  Petersburg. 

After  the  first  assault  and  capture  of  the  outer  line  of  works, 
General  Parke  received  orders  from  General  Meade  "  not  to  ad 
vance  unless  you  see  your  way  clear,"  and  "  hold  on  to  all  you 
have  got."  The  way  to  a  further  advance  was  not  "  clear," 
as  the  enemy  was  vigorously  pressing  the  Ninth  Corps'  left, 
hence  the  men  went  to  work  to  strengthen  the  position  that  had 
been  gained,  by  reversing,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  captured 
works  to  resist  the  attempts  that  were  being  made  to  recapture 
them.  About  eleven  A.M.  the  enemy  had  massed  a  force  opposite 
the  left  of  the  Ninth  Corps  and  made  a  determined  attack  to  re 
gain  what  he  had  lost,  but  was  heavily  repulsed.  So  persistent 
and  threatening  were  the  demonstrations  that,  for  a  time,  it  was 
feared  that  the  position  would  be  lost,  and  it  became  necessary  to 
send  reinforcements  from  City  Point.  The  enemy  was  now 
effectually  held  in  check. 

Later  in  the  day  a  renewal  of  the  assault  on  the  Confederate 
interior  lines  was  seriously  contemplated.  It  was  finally  deemed 
advisable  not  to  risk  all  that  had  been  gained  by  an  attempted 
further  advance,  but  to  strengthen  and  make  the  captured  works 
secure.  At  7.10  A.M.  (April  2d),  General  Grant  sent  to  General 
Meade  the  following  :  — 

There  is  more  necessity  for  care  on  the  part  of  Parke  than  either  of 
the  others  of  our  corps  commanders.  As  I  understand  it,  he  is  attacking 
the  main  line  of  works  aroiind  Petersburg,  whilst  the  others  are  only 
attacking  the  outer  line,  which  the  enemy  might  give  up  without  giving 
up  Petersburg.  Parke  should  advance  rapidly  or  cover  his  men  and  hold 

all  he  gets. 

(Signed)  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Licutenant-General. 


NEAKIXG    THE    END.  O(J(J 

General  Meade  replied  that  he  had  sent  orders  to  General 
Parke  to  hold  all  he  had  got  and  "  to  proceed  cautiously  in 
advancing." 

This  assault  was  one  thing  the  Fifty-Seventh  missed.  The 
regiment  performed  the  duty  required  of  it,  viz.  :  to  push  forward 
the  picket  line  and  drive  back  that  of  the  enemy.  From  their 
position  in  front  of  S  ted  man,  the  men  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  could 
see  the  gallant  line  of  blue  as  it  rolled  forward  over  the  enemy's 
works,  and  hear  their  exultant  shouts,  while  farther  down  from 
the  left  came  the  reverberating  roar  of  battle,  which  was  helping 
to  swell  the  triumphant  tide  of  victory.  The  day  closed  with 
buoyant  hopes  upon  the  one  side  and  fast  gathering  gloom  upon 
the  other.  The  brave  army  of  Northern  Virginia  that  had  fought 
so  gallantly  for  nearly  four  years,  that  had  so  often  carried  their 
banners  forward  through  the  smoke  of  battle  to  brilliant  victory, 
now  began  to  realize  that  their  cause  was  lost  and  their  pride 
humiliated,  save  that  which  still  lingered  in  the  immortal  glow  of 
an  undaunted  heroism  to  which  they  could  justly  lay  claim. 

General  Parke  reported,  "  All  our  people  did  splendidly 
today."  Soon  after  two  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  April  3d,  the 
enemy's  pickets  were  withdrawn.  At  four  o'clock  our  skirmishers 
advanced  but  met  with  no  resistance.  Their  lines  had  been  with 
drawn  and  the  city  of  Petersburg  evacuated.  Our  troops  were 
immediately  put  in  motion  and  entered  the  city,  where  General 
\Yilcox  was  placed  in  command,  with  the  First  Division  as  a 
garrison,  for  the  protection  of  persons  and  property.  General 
Parke  with  the  other  two  divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps  followed 
the  Sixth  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  Confederates. 

Colonel  Ely,  in  command  of  the  Second  Brigade  of  the  First 
Division,  received  the  formal  surrender  of  the  city,  and  the 
national  flag  was  hoisted  upon  the  Court  House,  by  the  First 
Michigan  Sharpshooters,  where  it  floated  proudly,  a  menace  to 
treason  and  a  rainbow  of  promise  behind  the  dark  cloud  of  war 
that  was  fast  passing  and  breaking  away. 

In  passing  through  the  enemy's  works  the  beginning  of  a 
mine  was  discovered  opposite  Fort  Stedman,  evidently  undertaken 


310  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

with  a  view  of  blowing  up  that  fort,  but  they  were  driven  away 
too  soon  for  the  execution  of  their  object. 

Early  in  the  morning,  before  reaching  Petersburg,  several 
huge  columns  of  smoke  were  seen  to  rise  from  the  centre  of  the 
city.  Subsequently  these  proved  to  be  caused  by  the  burning  of 
several  large  tobacco  warehouses,  railroad  station  and  other 
buildings,  which  had  been  fired  by  the  retreating  Confederates  to 
prevent  their  falling  into  Federal  hands.  The  "  vandal  Yankees  " 
immediately  set  to  work  to  extinguish  these  fires  and  to  save 
the  property  belonging  to  the  enemy  who  was  endeavoring  to 
destroy  it. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  marched  into  Petersburg  with  Capt. 
George  E.  Barton  commanding.  As  the  regiment  did  not  pursue 
the  retreating  enemy,  we  will  not  undertake  to  follow  the  move 
ments  of  the  two  contending  armies,  or  attempt  a  description  of 
those  thrilling  events  which  electrified  the  whole  country  and 
which  finally  resulted,  a  few  days  later,  April  9th,  1865.  in  the 
surrender  of  Lee's  wThole  army,  after  the  most  desperate  fighting. 

As  the  Federal  troops  entered  the  city,  they  found  that 
most  of  the  citizens  of  the  better  class  had  left.  Several  hundred 
of  the  Confederate  soldiers  who  had  concealed  themselves  in  the 
houses  came  out  from  their  hiding  places  and  surrendered.  The 
women  kept  themselves  behind  closed  doors  and  curtained 
windows,  though  many  faces  were  seen  cautiously  peering  out 
with  an  angry  look  of  despair  in  their  eyes.  The  children  timidly 
peeped  around  the  corners  at  the  marching  troops,  while  the 
colored  population  was  out  in  full  force,  singing,  "  The  year  ob 
jubilee  is  come,"  "  Bress  the  Lawd,  de  Yankees  is  here,"  "  Massa 
Linkun's  Yankees  gwine  to  set  us  free."  Little  did  these  poor, 
ignorant  people  realize  the  long,  tiresome  journey  that  was  to 
lead  them  through  the  dark  shadows  of  persecution  and  political 
intrigue,  before  they  would  be  able  to  appreciate  the  great  bless 
ings  of  freedom  and  the  responsible  duties  of  citizenship,  which 
were  to  be  given  them.  They  gave  no  thought  as  to  what  they 
were  to  do  in  the  future.  To  them  it  was  the  one  supreme 
moment  when  they  lived  entirely  in  the  present,  drawing  nothing 
from  the  past  and  demanding  nothing  of  the  future.  They  were 


NEARING    THE    END.  311 

free  to  go  where  they  pleased ;  their  first  great  desire  being  to 
ride  on  the  cars. 

On  the  2d  of  April,  Col.  Gilbert  P.  Robinson  of  the  3d 
Maryland  was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Third  Brigade  and 
Col.  James  Bintliff  of  the  38th  Wisconsin  succeeded  him  and  was 
in  command  when  the  brigade  entered  Petersburg.  The  Federal 
troops  marched  into  the  city  in  an  orderly  manner.  There  was 
no  attempt  at  pillage  or  to  commit  other  depredations,  except 
smashing  any  sign  showing  Confederate  colors.  Many  of  the 
boys  laid  in  a  supply  of  tobacco,  which  they  managed  to  save 
from  the  burning  warehouses.  All  other  private  property  was 
protected  from  damage  or  destruction,  and  the  needy  inhabitants 
supplied  with  food.  The  dreaded  Yankees,  who  it  was  feared 
would  burn  and  sack  the  city,  went  to  work  to  save  it  from  the 
flames  set  by  their  own  people  and  to  protect  what  remained. 

The  Petersburg  Express  had  made  its  last  appearance  under 
Confederate  reghne  the  Saturday  before.  In  its  last  issue, 
referring  to  events  then  taking  place  at  the  front,  it  said  :  "  All 
goes  well  with  us."  There  was  more  truth  in  those  few  words 
than  the  writer  was  aware  of  when  he  wrote  them,  for,  as  time 
has  since  proven,  it  was  well  for  them  that  their  army  was 
forced  to  surrender  and  their  State  restored  again  to  the  Union. 
Some  of  our  boys  in  blue  resumed  the  publication  of  the  paper 
which  showed  a  decided  change  in  favor  of  loyalty.  The  dead  of 
both  sides  were  buried  and  the  wounded  cared  for.  General 
Wilcox  established  his  headquarters  in  the  city  and  placed  a 
strong  guard  at  all  important  points.  In  two  hours  after  our 
troops  had  gained  position  everything  was  in  perfect  order,  per 
fect  discipline  was  established,  and  the  families  of  the  belligerents 
were  as  safe  as  they  would  have  been  in  the  city  of  Boston.  The 
Fifty-Seventh  did  not  remain  long  in  the  city,  but  was  moved 
the  same  day,  crossing  the  Appoma'ttox  and  proceeding  by  the 
Richmond  turnpike  to  a  place  called  Violet  Bank,  where  brigade 
headquarters  were  established.  Long  lines  of  prisoners  were 
marched  in,  and  troops  were  detailed  to  bring  them  in  from 
the  woods  and  other  hiding  places.  Up  to  include  April  2d, 
about  ten  thousand  had  surrendered. 


312  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

It  was  a  joyful  day  to  those  veterans  of  the  grand  old  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  who  could  now  look  forward,  through  the  clearing 
storm,  to  a  realization  of  those  bright  dreams  in  which  they  had  so 
long  and  fondly  indulged,  of  home  and  friends  in  a  reunited 
country,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  peace  that  seemed  ten- fold 
more  dear  after  the  dangers,  hardships  and  sufferings  of  four  long 
years  of  wild  war's  dread  alarms.  The  joy  of  returning  peace 
was  saddened  by  the  thought  of  those  who  would  never  return ; 
that  there  was  "  many  a  sweet  babe  fatherless  and  many  a 
widow  mourning."  Even  the  prisoners  seemed  glad  the  war 
was  over  and  they,  too,  could  return  to  their  homes  in  peace ; 
but  how  different  from  those  of  the  other  side.  Many  were  to 
return  to  desolate  homes,  to  blackened  ruins  that  stood  in  horrid 
mockery  of  what  was  once  a  happy  fireside.  What  changes  the 
four  years  of  war  had  worked  for  them !  Property  destroyed, 
slaves  liberated  and  their  cause  lost.  Footsore,  poor,  hungry 
and  ragged,  they  plodded  their  weary  way  towards  the  spot  they 
had  once  known  as  home,  not  knowing  that  they  would  find 
anything  left.  This  picture  presented  no  romantic  colors  for 
them,  the  pomp  and  glory  of  war  had  all  disappeared,  they 
carried  no  silken  banners,  not  even  the  "bonny  blue  flag" 
that  bore  the  single  star  so  proudly.  No  plaudits  of  victory 
and  no  triumphant  procession  in  their  honor  awaited  them,  only 
a  silent,  sad  return  to  loving,  but  bruised  and  bleeding  hearts. 
They  could  cherish  the  glory  of  gallant  deeds  almost  without  par 
allel,  yet  they  had  not  demonstrated  to  the  world  that  one  Confed 
erate  could  "lick  a  dozen  Yankees." 

Our  rejoicing  was  not  in  their  humiliation  or  their  misfor 
tunes.  We  rejoiced  that  the  war  was  actually  coming  to  an  end 
and  the  Union  to  be  restored.  They  had  passed  through  the  fiery 
ordeal,  had  been  regenerated  and  were  again  to  become  our 
fellow-citizens.  The  Federal  soldier  did  not  taunt  them  with 
their  defeat,  but  divided  his  rations  with  those  who  had  but  a  few 
days  before  been  his  enemies.  They  clasped  hands  and  called 
each  other  "Yank"  and  "Johnnie  Reb,"  with  the  utmost  good 
feeling. 


NEARIXG    THE    END.  313 

As  we  admire  their  heroism  on  many  a  bloody  battlefield,  so 
do  we  now  admire  the  pluck  and  energy  they  have  shown  in 
rebuilding  the  places  laid  waste  in  the  destructive  path  of  war. 
They  have  won  the  admiration  of  the  world  for  their  undaunted 
courage,  their  sacrifices  and  their  faithful  devotion  to  a  bad  cause, 
which  we  would  be  glad  to  blot  from  the  book  of  remembrance. 

The  Northern  soldier  desired  peace  just  as  much  as  his 
Southern  brother.  "  Let  us  have  peace,"  found  an  echo  in  the 
hearts  of  all  who  had  passed  through  the  tempest  of  war.  It 
came  alike  to  both  sides.  The  war  was  actually  about  to  close. 
Let  those  who  are  won  by  its  charms  stand  upon  the  historic 
battlefields  and  think  of  the  countless  number  of  brave  men  who 
gave  their  lives  a  sacrifice  ;  of  the  whitened  bones  and  unknown 
graves  scattered  over  the  Southern  land,  of  the  thousands  upon 
thousands  doomed  to  go  through  life  with  shattered  limb  and 
ruined  health,  and  of  all  the  untold  and  inconceivable  horrors  of 
war ;  then  let  them  witness  the  sudden  transition  to  a  state  of 
peace  and  they  will  know  better  how  to  appreciate  the  inesti 
mable  blessings  of  it.  Those  immortal  words  spoken  by  General 
Grant  will  go  down  through  the  ages  to  come  and  live  while 
Christian  civilization  lasts  and  history  is  read,  as  one  of  the 
grandest,  noblest  sentiments  expressed  by  mortal  man.  If 
the  South  had  suffered  defeat,  they,  too,  were  to  have  a  share  in 
the  victory. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  all  the  amusing  scenes 
that  took  place  as  our  army  marched  into  Petersburg,  with  the 
bands  playing  "We'll  rally  round  the  flag,  boys,"  and  the 
Union  banners  gracefully  floating  in  the  smiling  April  breezes. 

Roger  A.  Pryor  had  the  good  fortune  to  fall  into  our  hands 
again  and  the  headquarters  of  the  brigade  were  at  his  residence. 
He  had  a  fine  library  which  our  troops  boxed  up  for  him  to 
enable  him  to  preserve  it.  He  said  he  had  told  General  Lee,  the 
day  before,  that  he  was  "  beaten." 

On  the  morning  of  April  4th,  the  regiment  again  received 
orders  to  move,  recrossed  the  river  and  went  into  camp  in  the  old 
line  of  Confederate  w^orks  near  the  Mcllwaine  house,  the  brigade 
extending  from  the  Appomattox  river  to  the  plank  road.  At 


314 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


noon  the  next  day  the  regiment  moved  to  Sutherland's  station  on 
the  South  Side  Railroad,  and  from  there  proceeded  to  relieve  the 
pickets  of  the  Third  Division.  Another  change  was  made  on  the 
8th  and  the  regiment  was  stretched  along  the  railroad  to  protect 
it  from  any  raid  that  might  be  attempted  upon  it  in  the  then 
unsettled  condition  of  affairs,  so  that  our  trains  could  follow  the 
army  with  supplies.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  9th  the  regiment 
moved  to  Farmville,  where  the  men  received  the  glad  tidings, 
which  they  had  been  anticipating,  of  Lee's  surrender.  This  left 
no  doubt  that  the  glorious  end  had  come.  The  next  night 
(April  10th)  was  one  of  general  jollification,  the  memory  of 
which  will  long  linger  with  the  many  and  varied  experiences  of 
the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts.  The  regiment  remained  in  this 
vicinity  performing  guard  duty  until  April  20th. 

Chaplain  Dashiell  says  :  ' '  The  regiment  enjoyed  the  change 
from  the  trenches  to  the  beautiful  farms  which  had  begun  to  feel 
the  touch  of  opening  spring,  and  appropriated  a  church  at 
Hebron,  which  was  used  as  headquarters,  and  departing,  left  in 
perfect  order  for  the  congregation,  as  one  of  the  boys  said,  so 
that  the  erring  members,  should  they  return  to  their  allegiance, 
might  have  a  place  of  worship  cleansed  and  purified." 

All  the  officers  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  were  quartered  in  this 
church,  with  the  headquarters  in  the  pulpit.  Every  pew  was 
provided  with  a  spittoon,  showing  that  tobacco,  as  well  as  the 
bible,  was  necessary  during  their  hours  of  worship.  It  was  left 
in  good  order,  with  the  following  to  be  placed  upon  its  sacred 
records:  "  Rededicated  to  his  Yankee  omnipotence,  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  his  invincible  '  Captain  of  the  Host,'  Ulysses  S. 
Grant,  and  consecrated  to  the  use  of  those  of  the  armies  of  the 
U.S.  who  are  shelterless.  April  8th,  1865." 

With  their  other  duties  while  remaining  here,  the  staff  officers 
were  busy  administering  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  those  who  had 
been  disloyal  to  the  Government,  and  converting  them  into  loyal 
citizens  of  the  United  States.  Stragglers  and  detachments  came 
in  from  the  woods  and  seemed  glad  to  take  the  parole  and  go 
home,  regarding  the  war  as  virtually  closed.  Large  numbers  of 
them  threw  away  their  arms,  and  scattered  through  the  country 


XEARIXG    THE    EXD.  315 

for  their  homes,  without  the  formality  of  a  surrender  or  taking  the 
oath.  The  Confederate  officers  simply  made  out  rolls  of  such  of 
their  men  as  were  present,  after  being  signed  and  verified, 
the  men  were  paroled  and  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes, 
4 'not  to  be  disturbed  by  the  United  States  authority  as  long  as 
they  observe  their  paroles  and  the  laws  in  force  where  they  may 
reside." 

There  were  thousands  of  names  not  borne  upon  these  rolls, 
as  they  had  left  before  the  final  surrender.  There  have  been 
many  conflicting  statements  as  to  the  number  actually  surrendered. 
Many  Confederate  writers  claim  that  it  was  less  than  twenty 
thousand  and  not  more  than  half  of  those  armed ;  and  that  they 
were  surrounded  by  about  two  hundred  thousand  Federal  troops. 
The  actual  number  surrendered  by  General  Lee,  as  shown  by  the 
official  records  on  file  in  the  War  Department,  and  paroled  at 
Appomattox  Court  House,  was  2,781  officers  and  25,450  enlisted 
men.  "  Cabell's,  King's,  Lane's,  Nelson's,  Pegram's  and  Sturdi- 
vant's  battalions,  borne  on  return  for  Jan.  31st,  1805,  are  not 
accounted  for  by  the  paroles."  (Marginal  note  on  official  tabular 
statement.  —  J.  A.) 

This  did  not  embrace  the  command  under  Mosby,  who  con 
tinued  hostile  operations  until  April  21st,  eleven  days  after  the 
surrender,  when  it  was  disbanded.  The  farewell  address  issued 
by  him  reads  as  follows  :  — 

Soldiers:  I  have  summoned  you  together  for  the  last  time.  The 
vision  which  we  have  cherished  of  a  free  and  independent  country  has 
vanished.  I  disband  your  organization  in  preference  to  surrendering  it 
to  our  enemies.  I  am  no  longer  your  commander.  After  an  association 
of  more  than  two  eventful  years,  I  part  from  you  with  a  just  pride  in 
the  fame  of  your  achievements  and  grateful  recollections  of  your 
generous  kindness  to  myself;  and  now,  at  this  moment,  in  bidding  you 
a  final  adieu,  accept  the  assurances  of  my  unchanging  confidence  and 
regards.  Farewell. 

(Signed)         J.  S.  MOSBY, 

Colonel. 

No  doubt  our  wounded  soldiers  wlio  were  captured  by  him 
directly  after  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  would  be  glad  to  know 
if  his  robbery  and  abuse  of  them  were  classed  among  the 
"  achievements  "  of  which  he  felt  so  much  pride. 


316 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS, 


The  number  paroled  did  not  include  about  ten  thousand  who 
had  been  reported  captured  up  to  April  2d  and  other  commands 
heretofore  mentioned.  Neither  did  it  include  those  who  had 
thrown  away  their  arms  and  gone  home  without  a  parole.  Add 
to  all  these  the  number  killed  in  battle  from  March  o  1st  to  April 
9th  and  it  will  be  found  that  the  Confederate  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia  under  General  Lee  numbered,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
campaign,  an  effective  force  for  duty,  of  all  arms  of  the  service, 
not  far  from  fifty-eight  thousand  men. 

In  a  dispatch  sent  by  Mr.  Dana,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War, 
dated  April  12th,  1865,  from  City  Point,  he  says:  "General 
Grant  now  estimates  the  total  force  of  Lee,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  campaign,  at  seventy  thousand." 

General  Gibbon  reported  from  Appomattox  Court  House T 
April  13th,  that  147  pieces  of  field  artillery,  about  10,000  small 
arms  and  71  flags  had  been  surrendered.  The  day  after  the  sur 
render,  Gen.  W.  N.  Pendleton,  Confederate  Chief  of  Artillery, 
of  General  Lee's  army,  reported  that  they  had  250  field-pieces 
belonging  to  their  army  on  the  lines  near  Richmond  and  Peters 
burg,  but  does  not  say  how  many  siege  and  mortar  guns  they  had. 
It  is  known  that  they  were  well  supplied.  It  has  been  claimed  by 
many  Confederates  that  General  Lee  surrendered  only  about 
eight  thousand  men  under  arms.  This  has  been  used  to  make  it 
appear  that  eight  thousand  was  the  whole  force  which  they  were 
able  to  oppose  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  during  the  last  few 
days  of  the  sanguinary  conflict.  Nothing  could  be  farther  from 
the  truth.  We  have  given  the  numbers  surrendered  from  official 
reports.  Even  many  of  their  own  officers  admit  that  their  troops 
were  worn  out  with  constant  marching,  day  and  night,  and  fight 
ing.  Many  threw  away  their  arms  and  many  straggled  away  who 
were  not  reported.  The  country  was  thickly  wooded  and  it 
became  an  easy  matter  for  men  to  throw  away  their  arms  and 
make  their  escape,  after  it  became  known  that  a  surrender  was 
inevitable.  The  claim  that  Lee  was  conducting  the  campaign 
with  an  effective  force  of  only  eight  thousand  is  absurd  in  the 
extreme  and  not  justified  by  their  own  reports. 


NEARING    THE    END 


317 


The  first  thing  that  became  necessary  after  the  surrender 
was  to  feed  the  half  starved  prisoners.  The  supplies  that  they 
had  relied  upon  in  attempting  to  break  away  had  been  cut  off 
and  captured  or  destroyed.  The  surrender  was  made  in  good 
faith.  It  was  feared  by  many  that  their  army  would  disband 
and  escape  through  the  wooded  country  to  some  appointed  ren 
dezvous  where  they  would  continue  to  carry  on  the  war  as  guer 
illa  bands,  but  their  great  leader,  Lee,  never  encouraged  it. 
Beaten  in  the  field,  after  doing  all  that  brave  men  could  do, 
he  counselled  no  other  course  but  a  surrender  and  obedience  to 
the  laws,  with  an  acknowledgment  of  the  supremacy  of  the  United 
States  Government.  Not  so  with  Jefferson  Davis  ;  he  wanted  to 
fight  on.  With  the  fall  of  Petersburg,  Richmond  had  to  be 
abandoned.  This  released  our  prisoners  who  had  been  confined 
in  Libby  Prison,  and  those  who  were  starving  at  Anderson ville 
took  hope  from  the  echoing  "Tramp,  tramp,  tramp,  the  boys  are 
marching." 

Jefferson  Davis  escaped  to  Danville,  where,  on  the  4th  of 
April,  he  issued  an  address,  "  To  the  people  of  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,"  informing  them  that  they  had  "entered 
upon  a  new  phase  of  the  struggle,  the  memory  of  which  is  to 
endure  for  all  ages  and  to  shed  an  increasing  lustre  upon  our 
country."  Then  assured  them  that,  "  It  is  my  purpose  to  main 
tain  your  cause  with  my  whole  heart  and  soul ;  that  I  will  never 
'consent  to  abandon  to  the  enemy  one  foot  of  the  soil  of  any  one 
of  the  States  of  the  Confederacy,"  etc.  Still  later,  April  21st, 
eleven  days  after  the  surrender  of  General  Lee,  General  Mum- 
ford,  commanding  a  Confederate  cavalry  brigade,  issued  Special 
Order.  No.  6,  which  is  rather  amusing  and  well  worth  reading  :  — 

Soldiers:  —  I  have  just  received  a  communication  from  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  Confederate  States,  ordering  us  again  to  the  field  in  defence 
of  our  liberties.  General  Johnston,  with  an  army  constantly  increasing, 
well  appointed  and  disciplined,  still  upholds  our  glorious  banner.  We 
are  ordered  to  report  to  him.  Our  cause  is  not  dead.  Let  the  same 
stern  determination  to  be  free,  winch  has  supported  you  for  four  years 
of  gallant  struggle,  still  animate  you,  and  it  can  never  die.  ( >ne  disaster, 
however  serious,  cannot  crush  out  the  spirit  of  Virginians  and  make 
them  tamely  submit  to  their  enemies,  who  have  given  us,  during  all  these 


318 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


terrible  years  of  war,  so  many  evidences  of  their  devilish  malignity  in 
our  devasted  fields,  our  burned  homesteads,  our  violated  daughters  and 
our  murdered  thousands.  Virginians  will  understand  that  their  present 
pretended  policy  of  conciliation  is  but  the  cunning  desire  of  the  Yankee 
to  lull  us  to  sleep  while  they  rivet  the  chains  they  have  been  making  such 
gigantic  etforts  to  forge,  and  which  they  will  as  surely  make  us  wear 
forever  if  we  tamely  submit.  We  have  sworn  a  thousand  times  by  our 
eternal  wrongs,  by  our  sacred  God-given  rights,  by  the  memory  of  our 
noble  fathers  and  our  glorious  past,  by  our  gallant  dead,  who  lie  in  every 
plain  of  our  war-scarred  State,  by  our  glorious  victories  on  many  a 
well-fought  field,  that  we  would  be  free.  Shall  we  not  keep  our  oaths? 
Can  we  kneel  down  by  the  graves  of  our  dead,  kneel  in  the  very  blood 
from  sons  yet  fresh,  and  kiss  the  rod  that  smote  them  down?  Never! 
Never !  better  die  a  thousand  deaths.  We  have  still  power  to  resist. 
There  are  more  men  at  home  today  belonging  to  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia  than  were  surrendered  at  Appomattox.  Let  them  rally  to  the 
call  of  our  President,  and  Virginia,  our  beloved  old  Commonwealth,  shall 
yet  stand  triumphant  and  defiant,  with  her  foot  upon  her  tyrants  pros 
trate,  and  her  proud  old  banner,  never  yet  sullied,  with  its  "  Sic  semper 
tyrannis''  streaming  over  her. 

Soldiers  of  the  old  brigade,  to  you  I  confidently  appeal.  You  have 
never  been  surrendered.  Cutting  your  way  out  of  the  enemy's  lines 
before  the  surrender  was  determined,  you,  together  with  the  majority  of 
the  cavalry,  are  free  to  follow  your  country's  flag.  The  eyes  of  your 
Virginia,  now  bleeding  at  every  pore,  turn  with  special  interest  to  you. 
Will  you  desert  her  at  her  sorest  need?  You  will  never  descend  to  such 
infamy.  Let  us  renew  our  vows  and  swear  again  by  our  broken  altars 
to  be  free  or  die.  Let  us  teach  our  children  eternal  hostility  to  our  foes. 
What  though  we  perish  in  the  fight!  As  surely  as  the  God  of  justice 
reigns,  the  truth,  the  right  will  triumph,  and  though  we  may  not,  our 
children  will  win  the  glorious  fight,  for  it  is  not  within  the  nature  of  her 
Southern  sons  to  wear  the  chains  of  Yankee  rule. 

We  have  still  a  country,  a  flag,  an  army,  a  government;  then  to 
horse !  A  circular  will  be  sent  to  each  of  your  officers  designating  the 
time  and  place  of  assembly.  Hold  yourselves  in  instant  readiness,  and 
bring  all  true  men  with  you  from  this  command  who  will  go,  and  let  us 
who  struck  the  last  blow,  as  an  organized  part  of  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  strike  the  first  with  that  victorious  army  which,  by  the  bless 
ings  of  our  gracious  God,  will  yet  come  to  redeem  her  hallowed  soil. 

(Signed)         THOMAS   T.  MUMFORD, 
Brigadier- General,  Commanding  Division. 

This  fighting  brigadier  has  somehow  disappeared  from  the 
bloody  fields  of  war  and  our  history  has  been  robbed  of  his 


LEAKING    THE    END. 


319 


further  exploits.  Many  of  us  would  be  glad  to  know  if  he 
performed  those  terrible  things  which  he  had  solemnly  sworn  to 
do.  If  a  copy  of  this  order  had  been  sent  to  General  Grant  no 
doubt  he  would  have  surrendered  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
through  fear  of  the  dire  wrath  of  General  Mum  ford,  and  the 
whole  army  wrould  have  brought  up  in  Andersonville.  There 
were,  however,  some  points  of  truth  in  what  he  said:  "There 
are  more  men  at  home  today  belonging  to  the  Army  of  North 
ern  Virginia  than  were  surrendered  at  Appomattox."  This 
would  make  General  Grant's  estimate  of  Lee's  army  at  the 
beginning  of  the  campaign,  viz.  :  seventy  thousand,  nearer  cor 
rect  than  we  have  given  it.  Again  he  claims  :  "  You  have  never 
been  surrendered.  Cutting  your  way  out  of  the  enemy's  lines 
before  the  surrender  was  determined,  you,  together  with  a  major 
ity  of  the  cavalry,  are  free  to  follow  your  country's  flag."  This 
confirms  what  we  have  heretofore  said  and  is  further  confirmed  by 
a  dispatch  sent  to  Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis,  dated  "  Greensborough, 
April  12th,  1865,"  signed  by  Burton  N.  Harrison,  who  appears 
to  have  been  some  kind  of  private  secretary  to  Jefferson  Davis  in 
his  flight,  in  which  he  says  :  "  The  infantry  was  dispersed  all  over 
the  country ;  the  men  had  thrown  away  their  arms  and  were  going 
home  to  take  care  of  themselves.  The  cavalry  seems  to  have 
taken  to  their  heels."  ....  This,  no  doubt,  was  what  General 
Mumford  did  on  the  principle  that 

"  He  who  fights  and  runs  away 
Will  live  to  fight  another  clay." 

We  never  have  learned  what  effect  this  order  had,  but  it 
must  have  been  something  like  that  which  shortly  after  animated 
"  the  President  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,"  who,  while  making 
zealous  efforts  to  escape  in  a  new  style  of  uniform,  demanded 
to  know  if  "your  government  made  wrar  upon  women  and  chil 
dren."  AVhen  the  General  (Mumford)  spoke  of  the  outrages 
committed  by  the  Federal  soldiery,  "burned  homesteads,"  etc., 
he  was  probably  in  ignorance  of  the  fact  that  the  fires  from  the 
torch  applied  by  themselves  upon  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg 
and  Richmond,  and  which  threatened  to  destroy  the  homes  they 


320 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


had  abandoned,  were  extinguished  by  the  Yankee  and  colored 
soldiers  and  that  their  own  families,  at  that  very  time,  were  being 
protected  by  them,  and  that  same  grand  old  Army  of  the  Potomac 
would  have  fought  just  as  bravely  for  their  protection  as  would 
this  valiant  General ;  though  they  would  not  have  made  quite  so 
much  noise  and  fuss  about  it.  We  never  heard,  but  presume,  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  soon  "  tempered  the  wind 
to  this  shorn  lamb,"  and  that  his  warfare  is  not  going  on  now 
except  with  "  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil." 

While  stationed  here  the  division  hospital,  with  Doctor  W.  V. 
White  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  who  was  chief  medi 
cal  officer  of  the  division,  and  Chaplain  Dashiell,  who  was  con 
nected  with  the  hospital,  were  ordered  to  Burks ville  Junction  to 
take  charge  of  the  captured  Confederate  hospital.  The  chaplain 
says  :  ' '  Nothing  evidenced  the  extremity  to  which  the  enemy  had 
been  reduced  as  the  condition  of  the  men  in  this  hospital.  Their 
bloody  clothes  had  been  cut  off  the  wounded  and  they  were  lying 
on  their  cots,  in  a  nude  state,  with  scarcely  a  shirt  to  cover  them." 
The  chaplain,  furnished  with  shirts  and  drawers  by  the  Sanitary 
Commission,  passed  through  the  wards  to  supply  their  needs. 
Spying  out  the  destitute  ones,  he  came  across  an  adjutant- 
general,  badly  wounded,  who  asked  him  what  the  Yankees  pro 
posed  to  do  with  them.  "O,"  said  the  chaplain,  "  we  will  take 
good  care  of  you."  "  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  hope  they  will  suffer 
me  to  go  anywhere,  even  to  an  uninhabited  island,  rather  than 

abide  with  the  d d  Yankees."  The  chaplain  said:  "All 

right."  Afterwards,  when  the  chaplain  returned  with  a  stock  of 
clothing,  he  meekly  asked  for  garments  to  cover  his  nakedness. 
He  did  not  remind  him  that  they  were  made  by  the  Yankee 
women  lest  he  might  fear  contamination. 

There  were  very  few  such  cases  as  this  among  the  men 
who  had  done  the  fighting.  This  was  a  rare  exception  and 
should  be  regarded  only  as  a  little  bravado,  knowing  that  being 
wounded,  he  was  beyond  the  pale  of  resentment  and  could, 
therefore,  indulge  his  temper  without  fear  of  responsibility. 
Most  of  those  who  had  "borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the 
day  "  were  heartily  glad  it  was  over, —  we  of  the  Union  army 


CHARLES    H.    BARNES, 

Co.  F,  57th  Mass. 


NEARING    THE    END.  321 

equally  so  with  the  defeated  Confederate.  We  had  seen  all 
the  fighting  we  wanted,  and  were  glad  of  the  prospect  which  now 
seemed  near  realization  of  laying  aside  the  implements  of  war 
and  walking  again  in  the  paths  of  peace.  Yet  the  men  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  would  rather  have  braved  more  and 
gone  farther  than  to  surrender  the  life  of  our  National  Gov 
ernment,  which  would  have  gone  with  the  success  of  the 
Confederacy. 

To  attempt  an  eulogy  of  the  bravery  of  the  Confederate 
soldier  is  wholly  unnecessary.  That  has  become  a  matter  too 
deeply  stamped  upon  the  pages  of  history  ever  to  be  blotted 
out.  Their  gallant  deeds  stand  for  America,  and  as  Americans 
we  treasure  them.  Whatever  we  deny  to  them  only  shadows 
our  own  record  that  much.  If  we  had  not  been  battling  against 
a  brave  and  spirited  people,  the  war  would  not  have  lasted  one 
year ;  neither  would  it  if  the  Northern  soldiers  had  been  pos 
sessed  of  no  valor,  as  was  generally  believed  at  the  South,  but  in 
this  case  the  result  would  have  been  different. 

With  the  fall  of  Petersburg,  Richmond  was  quickly  evac 
uated.  Preparations  had  been  going  on  for  some  time  with  this 
in  view  ;  although  Mr.  Davis  continued  to  issue  assuring  mes 
sages  to  the  people  and  the  army,  yet  he  and  his  tottering  gov 
ernment  wTere  packing  up  to  leave.  Mr.  Davis  (April  4th) 
assured  the  people  that  Richmond  had  been  abandoned  only  tem 
porarily,  as  a  military  necessity,  in  order  to  relieve  the  army  of  the 
arduous  duty  of  defending  it.  Relieved  of  this  responsibility, 
they  could  devote  more  attention  to  the  defeat  of  their  enemies. 
Victory  was  predicted.  In  evacuating  Richmond,  the  Confeder 
ates  set  fire  to  public  property  and  war  material,  that  could  not  be 
removed,  to  prevent  its  falling  into  our  hands.  This  fire,  kindled 
in  the  midst  of  a  thickly  populated  city,  soon  spread  to  private 
property.  Most  of  the  business  part  of  Main  street  and  many  fine 
residences  were  destroyed.  During  the  interval  between  the 
evacuation  by  the  Confederates  and  its  occupation  by  the  Fed 
erals,  the  city  was  at  the  mercy  of  a  mob  of  their  own  people, 
who  were  engaged  in  sacking  and  plundering.  In  a  report 
subsequently  made  by  the  Confederate  General  J.  B.  Kershaw, 


21 


322 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


he  mentions  that  he  detailed  two  battalions  to  suppress  the 
mob  before  leaving,  thus  showing  that  the  work  of  "  looting" 
commenced  while  the  city  was  still  in  Confederate  hands.  The 
Federal  troops,  under  General  Weitzel,  soon  took  possession  and 
restored  order.  The  Federal  soldiery  extinguished  the  flames  and 
gave  protection  to  both  property  and  peaceable  citizens.  The 
inhabitants  were  found  almost  destitute  of  food,  and  rations  were 
at  once  issued  to  all  who  were  needy. 

In  face  of  all  the  "inhuman  atrocities"  the  "Yankees" 
were  accused  of  committing,  by  Mr.  Davis  and  others,  their 
leaders,  we  find  the  actual  facts  were  that  the  hated  Yankees 
saved  the  city  from  destruction  after  it  had  been  fired  by  their 
own  people,  protecting  their  homes  and  families  and  actually 
feeding  them.  Can  a  more  generous  treatment  of  a  captured 
belligerent  city  be  shown  in  history?  The  victorious  Yankees 
even  went  further  than  this,  and  restored  the  city  to  their  own 
civil  officers,  when  they  wrere  ready  to  assume  the  obligations  and 
take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  government  from  which  they 
had  revolted. 

General  Weitzel  reported  the  capture  in  Richmond  of  five 
hundred  pieces  of  cannon  and  five  thousand  muskets  in  one  lot. 
These  were  in  addition  to  those  with  their  army  in  the  field,  show 
ing  that  they  were  well  supplied  with  artillery  and  ammunition. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  rejoicing  over  the  glorious  victory, 
and  while  the  utmost  good  feeling  prevailed  among  a  majority  of 
the  Confederate  rank  and  file,  the  sad  intelligence  was  received 
of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln.  It  was  a  terrible  shock 
to  the  whole  army,  from  the  General-in-Chief  down  to  the  private 
soldier.  By  his  patriotic  devotion  to  the  cause  of  our  country, 
the  great  interest  he  took  in  the  welfare  of  the  army,  and  that 
honest  sympathy  he  always  manifested  for  the  sick  and  wounded, 
endeared  him  alike  to  officers  and  men.  There  was  no  name  that 
could  arouse  such  enthusiasm  as  that  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  No 
chief  magistrate  of  a  nation  ever  possessed  so  wholly  the  love  of 
the  loyal  people  as  he.  All  the  rejoicing  was  instantly  turned  to 
deepest  mourning,  and,  for  a  time,  it  was  viewed  as  a  blow 
struck  by  a  treacherous  enemy  in  the  interest  of  a  cause  they  had 


NEARING    THE    EXD.  OZO 

lost  in  battle.  This  caused,  at  first,  a  feeling  of  rage  that  could 
only  be  satisfied  by  revenge  upon  the  leaders  and  those  who  were 
supposed  to  be  instrumental  in  committing  the  dastardly  deed. 
Had  any  of  the  Confederates  expressed  pleasure  in  it  they  would, 
most  probably,  have  been  made  to  suffer.  The  Confederate 
prisoners  expressed  a  general  regret  and  indignation  towards  the 
brutal  assassins,  and  were  anxious  to  disavow  any  responsibility 
for  their  army  in  the  horrible  affair.  If  there  were  any  who  did 
not  feel  so  they  were  wase  enough  to  give  no  expression  to  it. 
The  Confederate  soldier  wTho  fought  under  Lee  did  all  he  could  in 
manly  battle,  and  when  that  battle  ended  he  was  the  last  one  to 
resort  to  such  dastardly  means  as  assassination. 

G-eneral  Meade  issued  an  order  w^hich  calmed  the  excitement, 
and  our  army  continued  to  treat  the  Confederate  prisoners  and 
people  with  the  same  kindness  and  generosity.  Future  events 
demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  blow,  terrible  as  it  was,  fell  heavier 
upon  the  people  of  the  South  than  of  the  North.  As  President 
Lincoln  had  conducted  the  war  to  a  successful  close,  possessing 
the  full  confidence  of  all  the  loyal  people,  he  stood  in  a  position 
where  he  could  do  more  toward  reuniting  the  country  and 
restoring  harmony  than  any  other  man.  His  true  character  was 
stamped  in  his  own  language,  "With  charity  for  all  and  malice 
towards  none."  In  his  death  the  South  lost  her  best  friend  at 
the  time  she  needed  him  most.  The  assassin  did  the  South  a 
greater  injury  than  any  other  man  could  have  done  during  the 
long  course  of  the  war. 

This  event  caused  the  transfer  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  to 
Washington,  where  they  were  placed  on  special  duty,  to  surround 
the  city  with  a  cordon  of  troops,  through  which  no  one  could  pass 
without  written  authority.  The  order  for  the  corps  to  move  was 
received  by  General  Parke,  April  19th.  The  march  for  City  Point 
commenced  at  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  and  its  con 
nection  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  ceased.  City  Point  was 
reached  the  same  day  and  the  Fifty- Seventh  Regiment,  with  the 
whole  Ninth  Corps,  was  placed  upon  transports  and  proceeded 
down  the  James  river  and  up  the  now  peaceful  waters  of  the 
Potomac  to  Washington. 


324 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


The  one  short  year  that  had  elapsed,  since  the  corps  had 
passed  in  review  before  the  President,  had  been  one  of  the  most 
eventful  in  American  history.  Those  who  returned  could  feel  a 
just  pride  in  a  duty  faithfully  performed  and  a  share  in  the  honor 
of  victory.  Now  "  all  quiet  along  the  Potomac  "  had  become  an 
established  fact.  The  troops  marched  in  review  before  General 
Wilcox  and  were  then  placed  on  duty  on  the  Maryland  side  near 
Tennallytown. 

Mr.  Pollard,  in  "The  Lost  Cause,"  does  not  attribute  the 
downfall  of  the  Confederacy  to  a  superiority  of  numbers,  but  to 
the  "thorough  demoralization  of  the  armies  and  people  of  the 
Confederacy."  We  quote  as  follows  :  — 

"  There  must  be  some  explanation  for  this  flat  conclusion  of 
the  war.  It  is  easily  found.  Such  a  condition  could  only  take 
place  in  a  thorough  demoralization  of  the  armies  and  people  of 
the  Confederacy.  There  must  have  been  a  general  decay  of 
public  spirit,  a  general  rottenness  of  public  affairs,  when  a  great 
war  was  thus  terminated  and  a  contest  was  abandoned  so  short 
of  positive  defeat,  and  so  far  from  the  historical  necessity  of 
subjugation. 

"There  has  been  a  very  superficial,  and,  to  some  people,  a 
very  pleasant  way  of  accounting  for  the  downfall  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  by  simply  ascribing  it  to  the  great  superiority  of 
the  North  in  numbers  and  resources.  This  argument  has  had  a 
great  career  in  the  newspapers  and  in  small  publications ;  and  the 
vulgar  mind  is  easily  imposed  upon  by  the  statistical  parallel,  and 
the  arithmetical  statement,  inclined  as  it  is  to  limit  its  compre 
hension  of  great  historical  problems  to  mere  material  views  of  the 
question.  We  shall  give  this  argument  the  benefit  of  all  it  con 
tains,  and  state  it  in  its  full  force.  Thus,  it  is  correctly  said  that 
official  reports  in  Washington  show  that  there  were  called  into 
the  Federal  service  from  the  Northern  States  2,656,553  men* 
during  the  war,  and  that  this  number  is  quite  one-third  as  many 
as  all  the  white  men,  women  and  children  of  the  Southern  States. 

' '  Again  the  figures  in  the  War  Department  at  Washington 
show  that  on  the  1st  of  May,  1865,  the  military  force  of  the 


*  The  official  records  also  show  that  only  about  1,490,000  of  these  men  ever  saw 
active  field  service  at  the  front.  —  J.  A. 


NEARING    THE    END. 


325 


North  was  1,000,516  men  of  all  arms,*  while  the  paroles  from 
the  Confederacy  officially  and  conclusively  show  that  the  whole 
number  of  men  within  its  limits,  under  arms,  was  exactly  174,- 
223. f  Thus  it  is  said,  putting  the  number  of  1,000,516  against 
174,223,  and  taking  into  account  the  superiority  of  the  North  in 
war  material,  there  is  sufficient  reason  for  the  failure  of  the  Con 
federate  cause  without  looking  for  another. 

"This  explanation  of  failure  is  of  course  agreeable  to  the 
Southern  people,  but  the  historical  judgment  rejects  it,  discovers 
the  fallacy,  and  will  not  refuse  to  point  it  out.  It  is  simply  to  be 
observed  that  the  disparity  of  military  force,  as  between  North 
and  South,  stated  above,  is  not  the  natural  one ;  and  the  fact  of 
only  174,223  Confederates  being  under  arms  in  the  last  period  of 
the  war  was  the  result  of  mal-administration,  the  defective 
execution  of  the  conscription  laws,  the  decay  of  the  volunteer 
spirit,  the  unpopularity  of  the  war  and  that  these  are  the  causes 
which  lie  beyond  this  arithmetical  inequality,  which,  in  fact,  pro 
duced  the  greater  part  of  it,  and  which  must  be  held  responsible 
in  the  explanation.  The  fallacy  consists  in  taking  the  very 
results  of  Confederate  mal-administration  and  putting  them  in 
comparison  against  a  full  exhibition  of  Northern  power  in  the 
war. 

( '  There  is  no  doubt  that  this  superiority  of  the  North  in  num 
bers  had  great  weight ;  that  it  contributed  much  to  the  discom 
fiture  of  the  Confederacy ;  that  it  must  be  taken  largely  into  any 
explanation  of  the  results  of  the  war ;  but  the  great  question,  at 
last,  remains,  was  this  numerical  inequality,  of  itself,  sufficient 
to  determine  the  war  in  favor  of  the  North,  considering  the  great 
compensation  which  the  South  had  in  superior  animation,  in  the  cir 
cumstance  of  fighting  on  the  defensive,  and,  above  all,  in  the  great 
extent  of  her  territory.  We  fear  that  the  lessons  and  examples  of 
history  are  to  the  contrary,  and  we  search  in  vain  for  one  instance 
where  a  country  of  such  extent  as  the  Confederacy  has  been  so 
thoroughly  subdued  by  any  amount  of  military  force,  unless  ivhere 


*  Not  all  in  the  field  under  arms.  —  J.  A. 

|-  As  we  have  explained  on  a  previous  page,  the  paroles  did  not  represent  the 
whole  number  surrendered.  What  was  true  of  men  In  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir 
ginia  throwing  down  their  arms  and  going  home  without  a  parole,  was  true  to  a  much 
greater  extent  with  their  armies  serving  at  a  distance.  —  J.  A 


326  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

popular  demoralization  has  supervened.  If  war  were  a  contest  on 
an  open  plain,  where  military  forces  fight  a  duel,  of  course  that 
inferior  in  numbers  must  go  under.  But  war  is  an  intricate  game, 
and  there  are  elements  in  it  far  more  decisive  than  that  of 
numbers. 

"  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  in  America,  all  intelligent  men 
in  the  world,  and  the  Southern  leaders  themselves,  knew  the  dis 
parity  of  population  and  consequently  of  military  force,  as 
between  the  North  and  South;  but  they  did  not,  on  that  account, 
determine  that  the  defeat  of  the  South  was  a  foregone  conclusion, 
and  the  argument  comes  with  a  bad  grace  from  leaders  of  the 
Confederacy  to  ascribe  now  its  failure  to  what  stared  them  in  the 
face  at  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  and  was  then  so  lightly 
and  even  insolently  dismissed  from  their  calculation. 

"The  judgment  of  men  who  reflected  was  that  the  South  would 
ultimately  be  the  victor,  mainly  because  it  was  impossible  to  con 
quer  space ;  that  her  subjection  was  a  '  geographical  impossi 
bility'  ;  that  three  millions  of  men  could  not  garrison  her 
territory  ;  that  a  country  so  vast  and  of  such  peculiar  features  — 
and  not  open  as  the  European  countries,  and  traversed  everywhere 
by  practicable  roads,  but  wild  and  difficult,  with  river,  mountain 
and  swamp,  equivalent  to  successive  lines  of  military  fortifica 
tions,  welded,  as  it  were,  with  natural  mounds  and  barriers  — 
could  never  be  brought  under  subjection  to  the  military  power  of 
the  North.  And  these  views  were  severely  just ;  they  are  true 
forever,  now  as  formerly ;  but  they  proceeded  on  the  supposi 
tion  that  the  morale  of  the  Confederacy  would  be  preserved, 
and  when  the  hypothesis  fell  (mainly  through  mal-administration 
in  Richmond)  the  argument  fell  with  it. 

"  There  is  but  one  conclusion  that  remains  for  the  dispas 
sionate  student  of  history.  Whatever  may  be  the  explanations 
of  the  downfall  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  whatever  may 
be  the  various  excuses  that  passion  and  false  pride,  and  flattery 
of  demagogues  may  offer,  yet  the  great  and  melancholy  fact 
remains  that  the  Confederates,  with  an  abler  government  and 
more  resolute  spirit,  might  have  accomplished  their  independence. 
This  reflection  irresistibly  couples  another.  Civil  wars,  like 


NEARING    THE    END, 


327 


private  quarrels,  are  likely  to  repeat  themselves  where  the  unsuc 
cessful  party  has  lost  the  contest  only  through  accident  or 
inadvertence.  The  Confederates  have  gone  out  of  this  war 
with  the  proud,  secret,  deathless,  dangerous  consciousness  that 
they  are  the  better  men,  and  that  there  was  nothing  wanting  but 
a  change  in  a  set  of  circumstances  and  a  firmer  resolve  to  make 
them  the  victors.  To  deal  with  such  a  sentiment,  to  keep  it 
whipped,  to  restrain  it  from  a  new  experiment,  requires  the  highest 
efforts  of  intellect,  the  most  delicate  offices  of  magnanimity  and 
kindness,  and  is  the  great  task  which  the  war  has  left  to  American 
statesmanship. 

"Would  it  be  strange  in  a  broad  view  of  history,  that  the 
North,  pursuing  a  policy  contrary  to  what  we  have  indicated, 
and  venturing  upon  exasperation  and  defiance,  should  realize  that 
the  South  has  abandoned  the  contest  of  the  last  four  years 
merely  to  resume  it  in  a  wider  arena  and  on  a  larger  issue, 
and  in  a  change  of  circumstances,  wherein  may  be  assorted  the 
profit  of  experience  and  raised  a  new  standard  of  Hope." 

Mr.  Pollard  wrote  this  soon  after  the  war  and  before  public 
opinion  in  the  South  had  become  crystallized.  The  longing  for 
separation  from  the  Union  has  disappeared.  The  Southern  people 
find  their  interests  lie  in  remaining  in  the  Union  and  would  not  go 
out  if  they  could.  Neither  is  there  any  desire  to  keep  them 
"  whipped  "  ;  they  have  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  citizenship 
that  are  possessed  by  those  who  were  the  victors  in  the  contest. 

Mr.  Pollard  seems  to  throw  the  whole  responsibility  of 
failure  upon  Mr.  Davis,  yet,  when  he  speaks  of  the  "firmer 
resolve "  that  was  required,  what  could  he  ask  more  than  the 
determination  and  firmness  of  Mr.  Davis  himself,  who  exhibited  it 
in  a  remarkable  degree  from  the  very  beginning  of  the  war.  He 
was  one  of  the  "last  ditch"  men.  In  an  address  to  the  once 
famous  Hampton  Legion,  he  said  :  "  When  the  last  line  of  bayo 
nets  is  levelled,  I  will  be  with  you."  However,  he  was  not 
exactly  true  to  his  word,  for  "  when  the  last  line  of  bayonets  was 
levelled,"  he  was  masquerading  in  a  costume  anything  but  warlike, 
though  he  still  possessed  the  morale  and  a  brave  spirit  of  deter 
mination  for  one  of  the  sex  he  was  personating. 


WILLARD    F.    BARNES, 

Co.  F,  57th  Mass. 


CHAPTER   XV. 


COMING  HOME. 

HE  Fifty-Seventh  remained  in  camp  near  Teunallytown 
for  the  next  three  months,  occupying  a  lovely  ground 
on  the  slope  of  a  beautiful  hill,  resuming  drill,  guard 
and  the   usual   routine   of   camp  duty,  and   also  per 
forming  guard  and  provost  duty  in  the  city  of  Washington 
during    the    excitement    caused  by   the   assassination   of 
President  Lincoln,  the  arrest    and  trial  of  the  conspira 
tors,  and  their  execution. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  at  Tennallytowu,  Gen.  N.  B. 
McLaughlen  (Colonel  of  the  Fifty- Seventh)  arrived  and  was 
assigned  to  command  the  brigade.  The  regiment,  under  command 
of  Lieut. -Col.  J.  M.  Tucker,  participated  in  the  grand  review  in 
Washington,  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  May  28d,  1865. 

The  Ninth  Corps  was  commanded  by  General  Parke,  the 
First  Division  by  General  Wilcox,  and  the  Third  Brigade  by 
General  McLaughleu.  The  corps  was  arranged  in  numerical 
order  as  to  divisions,  and  divisions  in  the  same  order  as  to 
brigades. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Boston  Journal  gives  the  following 
description  of  the  appearance  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps :  — 

"Two  hours  after  the  head  of  the  column  had  passed,  the 
headquarters  guidon  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  came  along,  with 
its  crossed  cannon  and  anchor,  eliciting  many  a  pleasant  recollec 
tion  of  the  brave  Burnside.  Today  the  corps  is  commanded  by 
Major-General  Parke,  who  rode  a  spirited  sorrel  horse  with  a 
wreath  of  laurel  encircling  the  animal's  neck. 

"  I  cannot  allude  in  detail  to  regiments  or  officers,  but  I  can 
not  refrain  from  a  word  of  praise  to  the  Third  Brigade  of  Wilcox 's 


330  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 

Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  commanded  by  Bvt.  Brig. -Gen. 
N.  B.  McLaughlen.  It  was  headed  by  a  detachment  of  pioneers, 
followed  by  a  mule  with  panniers  well  filled  with  intrenching 
tools,  then  came  a  good  band  and  drum  corps,  followed  by  the  3d 
Maryland,  50th  New  York,  57th  and  59th  Massachusetts  and 
100th  Pennsylvania,  all  '  bully  boys,'  marching  square  to  the 
front,  in  ranks  well  dressed,  pieces  carried  on  a  level,  an  easy 
springing  step  and  elbows  touching  lightly." 

Washington  wore  its  gala  dress  and  Pennsylvania  avenue, 
from  the  Capitol  to  the  White  House,  was  thronged  with  people 
who  had  come  from  all  parts  of  the  country  to  witness  the  review. 
It  was  the  grandest  military  pageant  that  had  ever  been  witnessed 
upon  this  continent.  Fully  seventy-five  thousand  men  passed 
before  the  President,  who  was  accompanied  by  distinguished  gen 
erals,  governors  of  loyal  States  and  other  distinguished  personages. 

As  the  troops  moved  along  the  avenue  with  their  streaming 
banners,  some  torn  to  mere  shreds  by  shot  and  shell,  and  bands 
playing,  the  appearance  was  grand.  The  light  and  dark  blue 
uniforms  with  the  bright  colors  of  the  zouaves  and  the  gold  lace 
of  the  officers,  gave  a  fine  effect  to  the  spectacle  which  was  a  con 
tinuous,  moving  line  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  The  flag- 
staffs  were  decorated  with  flowers,  while  the  flags  bore,  in  gold, 
the  names  and  dates  of  battles  in  which  the  regiments  had  been 
engaged. 

Soon  after  this  the  work  of  disintegration  commenced.  The 
citizen  soldiers  felt  that  their  work  was  finished^  and  they  were 
impatient  to  go  home  and  again  take  their  places  in  the  walks  of 
civil  life.  A  few  had  situations  awaiting  them,  but  most  were  to 
commence  life  anew  and  in  strange  positions.  The  regiments 
having  the  shortest  time  to  serve  were  the  first  to  be  mustered  out 
and  sent  home,  those  having  the  longest  to  serve  were  retained 
until  it  was  fully  assured  that  the  French  would  move  out  of 
Mexico. 

We  were  now  where  we  could  assert  the  principles  of  the 
"  Monroe  Doctrine  "  in  the  most  positive  and  emphatic  manner. 

The  Emperor,  Napoleon  Third,  had  taken  advantage  of  our 
Civil  War  to  attempt  the  establishment  of  an  empire  upon  our 


COMING    HOME.  331 

southern  border,  and  was  now  invited  by  Uncle  Sain  to  pack  up 
and  leave.  Napoleon  promptly  accepted  the  invitation. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  were  not  anxious  to  become 
involved  in  a  foreign  war,  yet  they  were  never  in  a  better  condi 
tion  to  meet  it ;  they  felt  the  indignity  they  had  been  made  to  suffer 
at  a  time  when  they  could  not  help  it.  Now  they  were  in  a  con 
dition  to  resent  it.  Until  this  matter  became  settled,  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Regiment  wras  among  the  number  to  be  retained  in  the 
service.  General  Parke  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
District  of  Alexandria. 

General  Bartlett  returned  and  on  the  19th  of  June  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  First  Division,  Ninth  Corps,  and 
at  once  instituted  a  more  thorough  course  of  drill  and  discipline, 
which,  in  anticipation  of  an  early  discharge,  had  become  lax. 
General  Bartlett  says  of  it :  "I  found  the  command  in  rather  a  slack 
state  of  discipline,  no  attention  paid  to  guard  duty  or  drill.  It  is 
natural  to  feel,  now  that  the  war  for  which  they  enlisted  is  over, 
that  there  is  no  further  need  of  discipline,  and  that  the  strict  per 
formance  of  guard  duty  any  longer  is  needless." 

That  wras  just  the  way  they  did  feel  and  they  were  anxious 
to  get  home  and  back  into  civil  life  again. 

On  the  26th  of  May  an  order  was  issued  consolidating  the 
59th  with  the  57th  Massachusetts,  the  two  organizations  to  retain 
the  name  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts.  Officers  rendered 
supernumerary  by  the  consolidation  were  to  be  mustered  out  of 
the  service.  This  was  not  accomplished  until  the  20th  day  of 
June,  although  the  consolidation  was  to  take  effect  upon  the  1st 
clay  of  June. 

Capt.  A.  O.  Hitchcock,  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  was  assigned 
to  duty  on  the  staff  of  Maj.-Gen.  Nelson  A.  Miles,  who  com 
manded  at  Fortress  Monroe,  where  the  ex-President  of  the  South 
ern  Confederacy  was  confined  and  in  a  very  unhappy  frame  of 
mind. 

The  duties  at  Tennallytown  were  not  arduous,  and  there 
were  many  pleasant  incidents,  which  officers  and  men  now  recall 
with  pleasure  ;  but  the  military  restraint  seemed  harder  than  ever 
to  bear.  Men  lost  their  interest  in  drill  and  did  not  take  kindlv 


332 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


to  discipline.  There  were  many  violations  of  army  regulations, 
which,  under  different  circumstances,  might  have  brought  punish 
ment  upon  the  offender,  but  which  were  now  overlooked. 

What  could  be  said  to  those  men  who  had  subjected  them 
selves  to  discipline  and  braved  everything  until  the  war  had  closed 
and  they  could  almost  see  home?  Even  General  Bartlett  con 
fessed  that  he  did  not  find  the  charm  that  used  to  fascinate,  and 
felt  that  the  object  and  aim  of  discipline  had  gone.  Being  in  poor 
health,  on  account  of  his  many  wounds  and  sufferings  of  prison 
life,  he  soon  accepted  a  leave  of  absence  and  severed  his  con 
nection  with  the  army. 

Regiment  after  regiment  took  its  departure  for  home  and 
the  old  Ninth  Corps  was  fast  melting  away,  like  the  winter's 
frost  and  snow,  under  the  bright  smiles  of  sunny  peace.  The 
date  of  final  disbandment  was  July  27th.  The  First  Division  was 
the  last  to  be  mustered  out. 

General  Wilcox  issued  his  last  order  and  bade  his  officers  and 
soldiers  an  affectionate  farewell.  After  briefly  recounting  the 
history  of  the  division,  he  spoke  of  the  "various  regiments  which 
had  left  the  bones  of  their  dead  to  whiten  battlefields  in  seven 
different  States.  Your  families  and  fellow  citizens  will  welcome 
your  return  in  peace  and  victory.  You  will  carry  about  you  in 
civil  life,  a  sense  of  your  own  worth ;  and  self  respect  will 
characterize  those  who  have  done  and  deserved  so  well  of  their 
country." 

On  the  30th  of  July,  the  Fifty- Seventh  received  orders  to 
return  to  Massachusetts  for  final  muster-out.  Upon  arriving  at 
Jersey  City,  the  regiment  was  met  by  a  delegation  of  the  New 
England  Association,  and  was  invited  to  parade  through  the  city 
of  New  York. 

Chaplain  Dashiell  describes  the  reception  given  to  the  regi 
ment  in  the  following  words  :  — 

"The  Sons  of  Massachusetts  thronged  the  barracks  at  the 
battery,  and,  as  the  regiment  marched  up  Broadway  with  its 
tattered  flag  and  scarred  veterans,  they  received  an  ovation  from 
the  crowd  which  thronged  the  streets,  which  will  never  be  for 
gotten. 


COMING    HOME. 


333 


' '  At  the  New  England  rooms  they  were  received  with  a  salvo 
of  artillery,  and  waving  of  flags  and  cheers  which  made  the  welkin 
ring.  Reaching  Union  Square  the  rank  and  file  were  regaled  with 
a  bountiful  collation  and  the  officers  were  entertained  at  the  rooms 
of  the  Union  League  Club.  Countermarching  down  Broadway, 
they  were  reviewed  at  the  Astor  House  by  Major-General  Hooker 
and  staff,  and  on  their  arrival  at  the  battery,  found  a  sumptuous 
dinner  provided  with  all  the  fruits  and  delicacies  of  the  season, 
which  was  keenly  relished  by  the  men  who  had  known  little  but 
salt  pork  and  hard  tack  for  many  long  months. 

"  After  dinner  I.  C.  Carter,  in  behalf  of  the  Sons  of  Massa 
chusetts,  welcomed  the  soldiers  on  their  return  from  victory,  to 
which  General  McLaughlen  fittingly  replied.  Our  old  corps  com 
mander,  General  Burnside,  appeared  at  the  barracks  afterwards 
and  was  enthusiastically  greeted  by  his  old  men." 

There  were  many  flattering  notices  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  in 
the  papers  of  New  York  and  New  England.  The  Worcester 
Palladium  of  August  2d,  1865,  makes  the  following  mention :  — 

Dispatches  from  Washington  inform  us  that  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Regiment,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  left  Washington  on  Sunday  after 
noon  for  home.  This  regiment  was  one  of  four  "  veteran"  regiments, 
so  called,  which  were  recruited  during  the  winter  of  1864. 

The  regiment  was  recruited  in  Worcester  County  and  the  counties 
west  of  Worcester,  and  left  the  State  on  the  18th  of  April.  It  now 
returns  with  the  59th  incorporated  in  its  ranks.  Partners  in  suffering 
and  glory  together,  they  went  into  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  on  the 
6th  day  of  May,  and  in  fourteen  battles  and  skirmishes  they  have  fought 
in  the  same  brigade  line,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  and  now  they  come  back 
one  single  band. 

In  twelve  months'  service  the  Fifty-Seventh  regiment  alone  had 
11  officers  and  91  enlisted  men  killed,  and  22  officers  and  391  enlisted  men 
wounded,  besides  100  missing  in  battle,  many  of  whom  languished  and 
died  in  southern  prisons  .... 

The  terrible  marching  and  fighting  which  brought  the  army  before 
Petersburg,  reduced  the  regiment  to  scarcely  one  hundred  men,  with 
which  it  entered  the  charge  of  July  30th.  On  this  disastrous  day  all  of 
its  commissioned  officers  of  the  field  and  line,  except  Lieutenant  Doty, 
who  had  been  promoted  a  few  days  before,  were  killed  or  wounded. 
Major  Prescott,  commanding,  and  Captains  Howe  and  Dresser  were 
killed,  and  only  this  lieutenant  and  twenty-five  enlisted  men  escaped 
unharmed. 


334 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Thus,  in  three  months,  nine  hundred  men  had  been  put  hors-de- 
combat,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  career  of  the  regiment  had  been  run. 
Soon,  however,  the  convalescents  began  to  return  and  the  ranks  were 
filled  up  with  battered  and  scarred  veterans,  and  the  regiment  was 
enabled  to  give  a  good  account  of  itself  in  the  successive  engagements. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  in  the  rebel  assault  upon  Fort  Stedmau,  the 
disaster  of  the  30th  of  July  was  terribly  avenged.  It  so  happened  that 
the  rebels  were  met  and  repulsed,  with  great  slaughter,  by  the  very 
troops  upon  which  they  inflicted  such  fearful  loss  the  day  of  the  mine. 

The  Palladium  was  somewhat  in  error  in  regard  to  the  losses 
of  the  Fifty- Seventh  during  the  year  of  actual  field  service. 
According  to  the  Adjutant- General's  Report,  State  of  Massachu 
setts,  for  1864,  it  lost  7  officers  killed,  23  wounded  and  1  missing, 
92  enlisted  men  killed,  330  wounded  and  101  missing,  from  May 
7th  to  Dec.  31st,  1864,  eight  months. 

The  loss  of  Fort  Stedman  was  2  officers  killed,  2  wounded 
and  2  missing,  5  enlisted  men  killed,  27  wounded  and  40  missing. 
The  total  number  of  officers  killed  should  have  been  9  instead  of 
7,  and  wounded  22  instead  of  23,  and  none  missing. 

It  having  been  subsequently  ascertained  that  Lieutenant 
Childs  who  was  reported  missing  at  the  Wilderness  was  killed, 
and  Lieutenant  Bowman,  mortally  wounded  before  Petersburg, 
died  in  a  few  hours.  The  same  remark  as  to  Major  Doherty  at 
Stedman. 

If  we  add  the  casualties  at  Stedman  with  the  four  who  were 
subsequently  wounded,  we  have  a  battle  record  for  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  of  11  officers  killed,  24  wounded  and  3  missing,  97 
enlisted  men  killed,  361  wounded  and  141  missing.  Total  battle 
loss,  35  officers  and  599  enlisted  men,  out  of  a  little  over  900 
with  which  the  regiment  took  the  field  in  April,  1864.  The  num 
ber  reported  killed  is  too  small  and  the  missing  too  large,  as,  in 
the  Wilderness,  North  Anna  river  and  the  mine  affair,  many 
were  reported  missing,  who,  it  was  subsequently  learned,  had  been 
killed.  Of  the  original  line  officers  who  left  the  State  with  the 
regiment  in  April,  1864,  all  but  three  were  killed  or  wounded. 
The  casualties  we  have  given  do  not  cover  those  who  died  from 
disease  or  wounds,  after  having  been  discharged  from  the  service. 


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335 


In  the  history  of  regimental  losses  of  all  the  regiments  in  the 
service  during  the  whole  period  of  the  war,  carefully  compiled  by 
Col.  William  F.  Fox,  U.S.  Volunteers,  from  official  records  in 
the  War  Department,  we  find  the  2d  Wisconsin  Infantry  heads 
the  list  with  the  heaviest  loss  of  any  regiment  on  the  Federal  side 
in  killed  or  mortally  wounded,  being  238  out  of  1,203  men 
enrolled  or  19.7.  The  second  regiment  in  the  list  is  the  1st 
Maine  Heavy  Artillery,  with  a  loss  of  423  killed  or  mortally 
wounded,  out  of  a  total  number  enrolled  of  2,202,  being  19.2 
per  cent. 

The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  is  credited  with  the  third 
position,  having  lost  201  killed  or  mortally  wounded,  out  of  a 
total  number  enrolled  of  1,052,  being  19.1  per  cent.  These 
figures  are  nearer  correct  than  those  given  by  the  State  Adjutant- 
General,  as  the  latter  report  was  made  from  "nominal"  lists  of 
casualties,  by  regimental  commanders,  before  it  was  known 
whether  men  reported  as  missing  were  killed  or  taken  prisoners ; 
and  such  records  appear  never  to  have  been  corrected,  except  at 
Washington  where  Colonel  Fox  obtained  his  figures. 

We  have  referred  to  engagements  where  these  reports  were 
erroneous,  viz.  :  Wilderness,  North  Anna  river,  Petersburg,  July 
30th  and  Fort  Stedman.  Glancing  again  at  the  figures  given  by 
Colonel  Fox  we  find  that  the  losses  cover  the  whole  time  these 
regiments  were  in  the  service. 

The  Second  Wisconsin  entered  the  service  in  1861  and  was 
in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  the  loss  19.7  per  cent  which 
they  sustained  covered  a  period  of  three  years.  The  loss  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  of  19.1  covered  a  period  of  less  than 
one  year. 

We  find  some  errors  in  Colonel  Fox's  figures  in  relation  to 
the  Fift}T-Seventh  Massachusetts.  He  gives  only  ten  officers 
killed,  while  to  our  personal  knowledge  there  were  eleven,  as 
follows  :  Colonel  Chandler,  Majors  Prescott  and  Doherty,  Captains 
Gird,  Howre  and  Dresser,  Lieutenants  Bowman,  Cheney,  Murdock, 
Coe  and  Childs  (11).  The  latter  was  reported  missing  at  the 
Wilderness,  but  was  never  heard  from  again,  hence  it  is  beyond 
question  that  he  was  killed.  The  Adjutant-General's  Report  of 


336  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Massachusetts  carries  this  remark  opposite  his  name,  "Died  of 
wounds  received  in  the  Wilderness."  This  would  make  the 
number  killed,  or  died  of  wounds,  in  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massa 
chusetts,  202  instead  of  201,  and  increase  the  per  cent  to  19.2, 
plus,  the  same  as  the  1st  Maine  Heavy  Artillery. 

The  latter  regiment  was  longer  in  the  service  than  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts,  but  the  first  two  years  it  served  in  the 
defences  around  Washington,  and  joined  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  with  the  opening  of  the  campaign  of  1864.  Their 
percentage,  therefore,  of  battle  loss,  would  be  just  the  same  as 
the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  for  the  same  length  of  time. 

We  have  searched  all  the  records  available,  and  are  unable 
to  find  any  regiment  that  suffered  a  heavier  loss,  in  killed,  for 
the  same  length  of  time,  than  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts, 
and  only  one  that  exceeded  it  during  the  whole  period  of  the  war. 
The  regiment,  therefore,  holds  second  place  with  the  1st  Maine 
Heavy  Artillery,  although  Colonel  Fox  gives  us  the  third  place. 
Again,  Colonel  Fox  gives  the  number  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Massachusetts,  w^ho  were  taken  into  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
as  545.  These  figures  appear  to  be  correct,  as  Company  K  was 
not  in  the  engagement.  Besides  there  were  other  detachments 
for  cattle  guard,  etc.,  so  that  the  regiment  had  only  about  one- 
half  its  strength  present  for  duty,  but  lost,  Fox  says,  94  killed  or 
mortally  wounded ;  it  should  be  95,  or  17.4,  in  this  one  battle. 

In  addition  to  the  number  lost  in  battle  the  Fifty-Seventh, 
as  shown  by  Fox,  lost  86  men  who  died  from  disease  or  in  Con 
federate  prisons,  making  the  total  number  of  deaths  288,  being 
27.4  per  cent. 

The  total  number  of  men  enrolled  in  the  Fifty- Seventh 
Massachusetts  was  1,052,  but  when  the  regiment  left  the  State 
for  the  seat  of  war  about  100  were  left  behind  as  being  physically 
unfit  for  duty,  subsequently  most  of  them  were  discharged  and 
never  saw  any  service  outside  of  Massachusetts,  except  that  of 
drawing  pay,  bounty  and,  later,  a  pension.  Some  few  of  these 
men  joined  later,  but  the  regiment  took  the  field  with  only  a 
little  over  nine  hundred  men.  This  would  make  the  percentage 


RODNEY    D.    LOOMIS, 

Co.  H,  57th  Mass. 


COMING    HOME. 


337 


of  loss  greater ;  however,  other  regiments  may  have  suffered  from 
the  same  cause  in  like  proportion. 

We  quote  Fox  further.  He  gives  the  loss  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts  as  716  killed,  wounded  and  died  in  Con 
federate  prisons.  This  would  give  the  total  battle  loss  of  68  per 
cent,  and  that  is  also  counting  those  who  did  not  go,  but  whose 
names  stood  against  the  regiment. 

This  is  the  record  which  the  old  Fifty- Seventh  brought  back 
to  the  State.  It  tells  the  story  in  grander  eloquence  than  we  can 
find  language  to  portray.  Can  those  who  understand  the  strong 
tie  of  comradeship  that  binds  us,  wonder  that  we  love  to  cherish 
and  preserve  it,  or  that  we  feel  proud  of  it? 

Shakespeare  says.  "He  jests  at  scars  that  never  felt  a 
wound." 

Statistical  records  are  extremely  difficult  to  get  exactly  cor 
rect,  but  we  believe  those  given  by  Colonel  Fox  are  as  nearly  so 
as  can  be,  having  been  taken  from  the  records  of  the  Wai- 
Department. 

We  wish  to  pause  here  to  acknowledge  our  indebtedness  to 
him  for  his  excellent  book  entitled  "  Regimental  Losses,"  from 
which  we  have  taken  the  liberty  of  copying. 

In  a  previous  chapter  we  explained  the  difficulties  of  making 
correct  returns  from  the  field,  experienced  by  regimental  and 
company  commanders.  The  importance  of  this  was  not  under 
stood  then  as  well  as  it  has  been  since,  particularly  with  us  at  the 
present  time,  when  we  want  to  get  at  the  facts. 

Most  of  the  lists  of  casualties  for  the  Fifty-Seventh  wrere 
marked  "  nominal,"  which  meant  that  the  one  who  made  them 
believed  they  were  approximately  correct,  or  as  near  as  he 
could  get  them,  and  was  glad  to  get  them  off  his  hands,  hoping 
that  would  be  the  last  of  them. 

Confederate  reports  were  in  still  greater  doubt.  We  do  not 
venture  the  use  of  many  of  them  as  being  correct.  A  tabular 
report  made  by  Gen.  J.  B.  Fry,  Assistant  Provost-Marshal  Gen 
eral,  in  1865-66,  gives  the  Confederate  loss  of  74,524,  who  were 
killed  or  died  of  wounds,  and  59,297  from  disease,  total  133,821. 


22 


338 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


These  figures  were  compiled  by  General  Fry  from  Confed 
erate  muster  rolls,  on  file  in  the  bureau  of  Confederate  Archives 
in  Washington.  General  Fry  says  these  rolls  are  incomplete,  as 
nearly  all  those  of  Alabama  troops  were  missing,  which,  if  in 
cluded,  would  make  their  mortality  list  much  greater. 

There  seems  to  have  been  less  care  taken  to  make  Confed 
erate  reports  accurate  than  in  case  of  our  own.  There  was  a 
general  disposition  to  underestimate  their  strength  in  the  field  and 
also  to  depreciate  their  battle  losses.  To  count  the  complete 
mortality  loss  of  the  State  of  Alabama  would  swell  the  aggregate 
Confederate  loss  of  killed,  mortally  wounded,  and  died  from 
disease  incident  to  the  war,  to  fully  150,000. 

That  of  the  Union  side,  as  shown  by  the  figures  compiled  by 
Colonel  Fox,  amounted  to  110,070  men  killed  in  battle,  while 
249,458  more  died  from  disease,  accidents,  Confederate  prisons, 
etc.,  making  a  total  mortality  loss  of  359,528.  Add  this  to  what 
we  have  taken  for  the  Confederate  loss  and  we  have  509,528  men 
who  gave  their  lives  during  the  four  years  of  bloody  war. 

One  stands  appalled  in  contemplation  of  such  an  immense 
sacrifice  of  human  life,  which  is  without  parallel  in  modern  his 
tory.  It  is  hard  to  realize  the  magnitude  of  this  great  war ;  the 
greatest  and  bloodiest  of  the  century. 

"The  charge  of  the  gallant  Six  Hundred,"  at  Balaklava, 
which  has  been  immortalized  throughout  the  whole  Christian 
world  by  the  pen  of  Tennyson,  sustained  a  loss  of  113  killed 
and  134  wounded;  a  total  of  247  out  of  673,  a  percentage  of 
36.4  in  the  "  Valley  of  Death."  There  were  numerous  charges 
on  both  the  Federal  and  Confederate  sides,  where  the  loss  was 
nearly  twice  as  great.  The  1st  Minnesota  at  Gettysburg  lost  215 
killed  and  wounded,  out  of  262  engaged,  82  per  cent.  General 
Pickett's  gallant  charge  upon  the  Union  lines  at  Gettysburg 
carried  a  loss  fully  equalling  "  the  gallant  Six  Hundred." 

Colonel  Fry  has  given  a  tabulated  statement  of  deaths  from 
all  causes  in  the  Union  Army  during  the  war.  As  this  is  of 
great  interest  to  all  who  participated,  I  have  copied  it  below 
in  full,  after  which  we  will  not  burden  our  readers  with  sta 
tistics  :  — 


COMING    HOME. 


DEATHS    FROM    ALL    CAUSES. 


339 


Cause.  Officers.  Enlisted  men.  Aggregate. 

Killed,  or  died  of  wounds,  0,365  103,705  110,070 

Died  of  disease,  2,712  197,008  199,720 

In  Confederate  prisons,  83  24,783  24,86(3 

Accidents,  142  3,972  4,114 

Drowning,  10G  4,838  4,944 

Sunstrokes,  5  308  313 

Murdered,  37  483  520 

Killed  after  capture,  14  90  104 

Suicide,  26  3G5  391 

Military  executions,  207  267 

Executed  by  the  enemy,  4  00  64 

Causes  known,  but  unclassified,  62  1,5)72  2,034 

Cause  not  stated,  28  12,093  12,121 


Aggregate,  9,584  349,944 

Colonel  Fox  makes  a  foot-note  to  the  above  table  in  relation 
to  those  who  died  in  Confederate  prisons,  in  which  he  says  :  — 

"In  addition  to  this  number,  there  were  5,290  who  died 
while  prisoners,  and  who  are  included  in  the  other  items  of  this 
classification.  The  total  number  of  Union  soldiers  who  died, 
while  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  according  to  this  official  report, 
was  30,156.  The  causes  of  their  deaths  are  classified  as  follows  : 
from  disease,  24,866  ;  wounds,  2,072  ;  sunstroke,  20  ;  accidents, 
7;  drowning,  7;  killed  after  capture,  104;  executed  by  the 
enemy,  64 ;  causes  known  but  not  classified,  319 ;  cause  not 
stated,  2,697  ;  total,  30,156.  But  owing  to  the  imperfect  records 
kept  at  some  of  the  Confederate  prisons,  the  deaths  are  not  all 
included  in  the  foregoing  statement.  The  mortality  of  Union 
prisoners,  as  shown  by  graves,  has  been  estimated  at  36,401, 
being  nearly  29  per  cent  of  the  total  number  of  Federal  prisoners 
captured  during  the  war. 

This  statistical  record  does  not  complete  the  measure  of  all 
the  horrors  that  follow  in  the  path  of  war.  It  does  not  tell 
of  the  mutilated  forms  and  broken  health  that  can  never  be 
restored,  neither  does  it  count  the  mourning  widows  and 
orphans. 


340 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Looking  into  the  far  distant  future,  we  hear  the  question 
asked,  "What  was  all  this  for?"  May  the  answer  be  found  in 
a  prosperous  and  united  country,  which  we  hope  will  endure  as 
long  as  the  brave  deeds  of  noble,  patriotic  men  stand  upon  record, 
and  show  to  the  world  that  a  government  of  the  people  and  by 
the  people  is  as  enduring  as  the  strongest  and  most  aristocratic 
monarchy. 

Not  one  loyal  heart  in  all  this  broad  land  but  felt  truly 
thankful  when  the  war  was  over.  Those  who  had  shared  its 
fortunes  and  faced  each  other  upon  bloody  fields  of  battle,  never 
want  to  see  another,  unless  it  be  in  defense  of  those  principles 
that  are  dearer  to  every  true  man  than  life  itself. 

How  well  we  remember  the  thrill  of  joy  that  all  felt  in  the 
very  thought  of  "the  war  is  over."  It  had  come  so  suddenly 
that  men  could  hardly  realize  it.  They  had  no  revenge  to  satisfy, 
no  plunder  to  gain,  no  hardships  to  impose  and  no  bitterness  to 
carry  from  the  field  of  strife,  but  all  hearts  beat  with  inexpres 
sible  joy  and  gladness  in  anticipation  of  an  early  return  to  home 
and  friends. 

The  "Johnnies"  were  no  longer  our  enemies,  but  our 
brothers  and  fellow  citizens.  They  had  made  a  glorious  fight 
until  further  resistance  was  hopeless,  then  manfully  surrendered, 
laid  down  their  arms,  and  those  who  had  endured  the  dangers  and 
hardships  of  battle  became  again  loyal  to  our  flag  and  country. 
We  will  always  honor  and  respect  them  for  their  brave  deeds. 
With  the  force  they  still  had  in  the  field  a  guerilla  warfare  could 
have  been  carried  on  for  some  time  longer ;  wiiich,  although 
inflicting  considerable  loss  upon  the  country,  would  have  fallen 
more  heavily  upon  their  own  section.  The  hopes  indulged  in  by 
Great  Britain  and  other  foreign  powers,  that,  with  the  close  of 
the  war,  other  dire  calamities  would  follow  to  destroy  our  repub 
lican  form  of  government,  were  not  realized. 

It  had  been  prophesied  that  when  our  large  armies  would  be 
disbanded  and  freed  from  the  restraints  of  military  rules  and  dis 
cipline,  it  would  produce  a  state  of  lawlessness,  crime  and 
anarchy,  which  would  finally  lead  some  popular  and  ambitious 
general  to  place  himself  again  at  their  head,  overthrow  our 


COMING   HOME. 


341 


republican  form  of  government  and  plant  an  empire  upon  its 
ruins.  But  as  the  echoes  of  war  died  away  beyond  the  southern 
hills,  this  vast  body  of  citizen  soldiery  became  absorbed  in  the 
new  life  of  the  nation.  The  receding  tide  of  war  was  taken  up 
by  the  gently  heaving  billows  and  lost  in  the  boundless  ocean  of 
peace.  Those  who  had  fought  the  battles  of  the  republic  through 
the  storms  and  perils  of  war  again  became  obedient  to  civil  law 
and  ever  ready  to  uphold  it.  Statistics  show  that  there  have  been 
fewer  violations  of  it  by  them  than  those  of  the  same  class  who 
stayed  at  home. 

That  the  Confederate  soldier  should  still  cherish  the  memory 
of  those  long,  eventful  years  of  battle  and  suffering  is  quite 
natural.  Like  us,  they  too  feel  a  comradeship  endeared  by  a 
thousand  ties  and  sealed  by  the  blood  of  their  brothers.  They 
have  much  in  which  to  glory,  their  record  shines  as  brightly  in 
defeat  as  it  would  have  done  in  victory,  except  that  it  bore  the 
blemish  of  a  bad  cause. 


•   TAP.- 


JAMES    SULLIVAN, 


Musician  Co.  E,  57th  Mass. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


HOME. 
Be  it  ever  so  humble,  there's  no  place  like  home." 

N  the  second  day  of  August,  1865,  the  regiment  em 
barked  for  New  York  on  a  steamer  of  the  Providence 
line  en  route  for  Readville,  where  it  arrived  the  next 
day,  and  was  formally  mustered  out  of  the  United 
States  service  on  the  9th  day  of  August,  1865,  and 
thus  ended  their  duties  as  soldiers  of  the  Republic.  After 
their  final  discharge  the  officers  met  at  a  banquet  at  the 
United  States  Hotel  in  Boston,  then  followed  a  final  handshaking 
and  separation  to  distant  homes  and  various  pursuits  in  civil  life. 
With  the  welcome  dawn  of  peace  the  nation  seemed  to  spring 
from  a  new  birth  into  a  more  healthy  and  vigorous  life.  At  first 
the  political  agitations  that  followed  in  the  train  of  war  seemed  to 
threaten  new  and  serious  dangers.  It  is  not  within  our  province 
to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  them.  This  was  felt  more  severely 
in  the  South,  where  the  ravages  of  war  had  fallen  with  a  heavy 
hand.  We  should  remember  that  our  conditions  were  entirely 
different.  The  Federal  soldier  came  back  to  scenes  of  thrift 
and  prosperity,  with  back  pay  and  bounty  for  his  services,  and 
pensions,  where  disabled.  The  Confederate  soldiers  returned  to  a 
desolate  home,  or  none  at  all,  and  where  there  was  no  prosperity. 
All  their  social  and  political  relations  had  been  overturned  as  a 
result  of  the  war,  and  they  had  to  commence  in  ways  that  were 
new  and  strange  to  them.  Their  former  slaves  had  become 
citizens  and  were  free  to  do  as  they  pleased.  For  the  first  few 
years  it  was  a  serious  question  with  them  how  to  get  bread  to 
feed  themselves  and  their  families. 


344 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


It  is  not  strange,  after  such  a  gigantic  struggle,  in  which 
their  land  had  been  torn  as  by  the  thunderbolts  of  heaven,  that  it 
took  some  time  to  bring  order  out  of  this  chaos.  Passions  that 
had  flamed  through  the  fiery  tempest  of  war  could  not  be  extin 
guished  in  a  moment.  The  storm  had  passed,  but  dark  clouds 
still  lingered  above  the  Southern  horizon,  though  the  sighing  gale 
grew  fainter  day  by  day,  only  when  fanned  into  brief  life  by  the 
political  agitations  which  followed.  After  going  down  under  the 
crash  of  battle,  the  "Lost  Cause"  still  lived  in  the  memory  of 
the  Southern  people  until  lost  in  the  growing  light  of  prosperity 
which  sprang  from  the  ruins.  But  few  had  means  to  work  with 
and  seemed  to  lack  the  adaptability  of  employing  what  they  had, 
to  advantage.  While  the  people  of  the  North  felt  a  sympathy 
for  them,  they  realized  that  their  unfortunate  condition  was  the 
result  of  their  own  actions.  The  masses  were  the  sufferers. 
Most  of  their  leaders,  who  had  been  directly  responsible,  took  to 
the  life-boats  when  the  wreck  became  plainly  inevitable ;  only  one 
of  these  was  swamped. 

Our  glorious  old  Ship  of  State  had  outridden  many  dark 
storms  that  threatened  to  drive  her  upon  the  breakers.  This 
was  the  severest  strain  which  she  had  ever  encountered ;  her 
sails  and  rigging  were  torn  and  splintered,  but  she  emerged  with 
the  timbers  stronger  than  when  the  keel  wras  laid  by  our  revolu 
tionary  sires. 

On  Forefathers'  Day,  Dec.  22d,  1865,  several  of  the  regi 
ments  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers  united  in  an  imposing  parade 
and  ceremony,  upon  the  occasion  of  returning  the  flags  which  had 
been  intrusted  to  them  by  the  State  and  which  they  had  carried  as 
they  marched  out  to  war.  Many  were  riddled  by  shot  and  shell, 
but  not  a  star  had  been  blotted  from  the  field  of  azure  blue.  The 
57th  and  59th  appeared  in  line  with  ten  officers  and  fifty  men  to 
transfer  their  two  standards  back  to  the  custody  of  the  State. 
Their  tattered  condition  spoke,  in  greater  eloquence  than  can  be 
expressed  by  the  power  of  language,  of  the  -sublime  devotion  of 
those  men  who  gave  their  lives  to  their  country,  and  the  heroic 
sacrifices  that  were  made  that  the  country  might  live. 

With  the  close  of  hostilities  the  prison  pens  of  the  South  were 
thrown  open  and  delivered  of  their  prey.  Those  who  had  waited 


HOME.  345 

long  and  patiently  while  singing  through  the  dark  hours  "  Cheer 
up,  comrades,  they  will  come,"  now  realized  that  the  time  had 
actually  come  when 

' '  Beneath  the  starry  flag  we  shall  breathe  the  air  again 
Of  the  freelancl  in  our  own  beloved  home." 

Among  those  released  from  Andersonville  was  Dr.  A.  K. 
Gould,  who  was  taken  prisoner  while  caring  for  the  wounded  upon 
the  battlefield  of  the  Wilderness.  We  give  a  few  extracts  from 
his  description  of  prison  life,  written  for  "  Fitchburg  in  the  War  "  : 

"  Well  do  I  remember  when  I  arrived  in  sight  of  this  terrible 
place,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1864,  and  of  my  first  interview  with 
the  rebel  officer  in  charge  of  it,  Capt.  Henry  Wurtz,  a  most  sav 
age  looking  man,  who  was  as  brutal  as  his  looks  would  seem  to 
indicate.  He  offered  us  all  the  abuse  he  was  capable  of  and  then 
marched  us  into  prison.  It  was  no  uncommon  thing  for  this  brute 
to  strip  the  prisoners  of  their  clothing  and  everything  of  value  about 
them  before  sending  them  inside  the  stockade.  The  stockade  in 
which  we  were  confined  was  made  by  setting  logs  upright  in  the 
ground  as  closely  as  they  could  be  driven,  standing  above  the 
ground  about  fourteen  feet  and  enclosing  about  nineteen  acres 
of  land,  about  half  as  wide  as  it  was  long.  Running  through,  or 
across  the  lot,  was  a  brook  about  four  feet  wide  and  generally 
two  or  three  inches  deep,  thus  giving  us  water  to  use,  but  of  the 
filthiest  character,  on  account  of  there  being,  just  above  us,  a 
camp  of  three  thousand  rebels,  and  as  many  more  negroes  (serv 
ing  as  guard  over  us),  all  of  whose  filth  and  refuse  was  emptied 
into  the  brook  and  swept  down  to  us.  In  addition  to  this  the 
land  on  either  side  of  the  brook,  to  the  extent  of  six  acres,  was 
a  complete  swamp.  A  portion  of  this  was  used  by  the  thirty 
thousand  prisoners,  more  or  less,  for  sink  purposes,  and  its  effect 
upon  the  water  can  better  be  imagined  than  described. 

"  When  I  entered  the  prison,  May  29th,  1864,  the  number  of 
prisoners  was  about  nine  thousand,  which  was  gradually  increased 
to  thirty-two  thousand  on  the  first  of  July.  Their  condition  was 
enough  to  make  one  sick  on  first  entering  the  place,  but  it  was 
nothing  in  comparison  to  what  I  experienced  afterwards.  To  see 


346 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


my  fellow-men  suffering  for  want  of  food  and  clothing  as  I  did ; 
to  see  them  stretching  out  their  bony  hands  for  the  merest  morsel 
to  eat ;  to  hear  their  piteous  inquiries  :  '  Shall  we  ever  go  home  ?  ' 
to  see  how  they  died,  poor  fellows,  wasting  away  little  by  little, 
exposed  to  the  scorching  rays  of  a  Georgia  sun, —  this  was  enough 
to  break  the  hardest  heart. 

"  It  may  be  interesting  to  know  how  we  lived.  We  dug 
holes,  or  burrows,  in  the  ground,  thus  forming  a  little  shelter  for 
us.  Once  a  day  we  had  our  rations  brought  in,  which  consisted 
of  one  half  pint  of  corn-cob  meal,  coarsely  ground,  or  its  equiva 
lent  in  beans  or  rice,  sometimes  bacon,  and  all  these  of  the  poor 
est  quality.  One  of  the  most  dreadful  things  in  this  dreadful 
place  was  the  dead-line.  This  was  a  furrow  turned  up  about 
twenty  feet  from  the  stockade  all  around,  and  was  called  the 
'  dead-line.'  If  a  man  dared  to  step  over  this  line  or  cross  it  by 
mistake,  he  was  at  once  shot  by  the  guard  without  a  word  being 
said. 

"  It  was  sickening  to  see  the  dead  as  they  lay  in  the  prison 
pen.  It  was  the  custom  to  carry  them  out  every  morning,  the 
prisoners  being  hired  to  do  this,  their  pay  being  an  extra  ration 
and  a  chance  to  bring  in  an  armful  of  wood  when  they  returned. 
These  inducements  were  so  great  that  sometimes  one  squad  would 
steal  a  dead  body  from  another  in  order  to  get  a  chance  to  go  out 
and  get  wood  and  more  to  eat.  Others  were  detailed  for  this  purpose, 
and  they,  also,  got  extra  rations,  and  when  the  guard  came  for  any 
such  purpose,  how  eager  the  men  were  to  get  a  chance  to  go,  and  how 
savagely  they  were  treated  when  refused.  So  many  of  these  bar 
barities  crowd  themselves  upon  my  mind  that  I  hardly  know  where 
to  stop.  Some  of  the  prisoners  thought  they  might  escape  if  they 
got  out,  but  the  bloodhounds  were  too  much  for  them.  A  pack 
was  kept  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  all  such,  and  very  savage 
they  were,  too,  so  that  few  escaped  them  who  ever  tried. 

"  I  found  in  the  prison  several  men  from  Fitchburg  and 
vicinity.  William  T.  Peabody,  Company  F,  Fifty-Seventh,  was 
captured  with  me  and  remained  with  me  until  he  died,  Sept.  1st, 
1864,  poor  fellow,  literally  starved  to  death;  no  disease  about 


HOME. 


347 


him,  but  reduced  to  a  living  skeleton,  as  was  the  case  with 
thousands  there. 

"  There  is  one  scene  I  shall  always  remember  and  that  was 
the  hanging  of  six  of  our  comrades.  Their  crime  was  raiding 
upon  and  murder  of  their  fellow  prisoners.  Their  plan  was  to  fall 
upon  any  of  us  that  they  thought  they  could  plunder.  They  would 
steal  clothing  or  anything  else  which  they  could  bargain  to  the 
'  rebs.'  The  rebel  authorities  allowed  the  prisoners  to  try  them 
and  hang  them,  glad  even  to  have  some  of  us  killed  off  in 
that  way. 

"Another  feature  of  this  place  was  the  'stocks.'  I  have 
never  suffered  in  them  but  have  often  seen  my  comrades  tortured 
by  them.  The  pain  was  excruciating  in  the  extreme.  The  men 
were  put  into  a  hellish  machine  that  would  stretch  all  their  mus 
cles  and  cords  could  bear,  and,  with  their  faces  turned  up  to  the 
scorching  sun,  they  were  left  from  twenty-four  to  forty-eight 
hours.  This  was  the  most  barbarous  act  of  all,  and  this  to  men 
already  completely  emaciated  by  sickness.  I  have  seen  men 
taken  from  the  stocks  only  to  expire  in  a  few  minutes.  All  this 
was  done  by  authority  of  the  officers  in  charge.  .  .  . 

"  We  were  taken  from  this  place  to  the  city  of  Charleston. 
Sept.  14th,  1864,  where  we  were  kept  under  fire  of  our  batteries  for 
three  weeks,  but  fared  much  better  than  elsewhere,  being  fed  and 
cared  for  by  the  Sisters  of  Charity.  From  Charleston  we  were 
taken  to  another  prison  pen,  a  second  Andersonville,  called  Flor 
ence.  Here  the  same  usages,  the  same  fare  and  treatment  were 
dealt  out  to  us,  but  there  was  one  new  phase  presented  to  us, 
which  was  the  compulsory  movement  to  make  our  men  enlist  in 
their  service.  This  was  done  by  extra  starvation.  ...  I  was 
finally  released  Dec.  loth,  18G4,  having  been  in  prison  seven 
months  and  two  days." 

Much  that  was  written  by  Doctor  Gould  has  been  told  by 
others  who  were  unfortunate  enough  to  be  prisoners  of  war  at 
Andersonville. 

We  know  the  Confederate  resources  were  greatly  reduced, 
but  not  to  such  an  extent,  especially  in  Georgia,  as  to  justify 
starvation.  The  cruelties  our  men  were  made  to  endure  in  Ander- 


348 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


sonville,  and  the  indignities  offered,  can  find  no  palliating  circum 
stance  under  any  conditions.  With  no  shelter,  save  the  holes  they 
could  dig  in  the  ground,  without  sufficient  allowance  of  fuel,  in  a 
wooded  country,  to  cook  what  little  food  they  were  allowed,  without 
proper  attention  to  the  sick,  and  forced  to  use  stagnant  water  that 
was  polluted  almost  like  a  sewer,  and  with  scarcely  any  clothing 
or  bedding,  makes  it  seem  a  wonder  that  any  were  strong  enough 
to  survive. 

The  position  of  a  prisoner  of  wrar  is  not  a  pleasant  one  at 
any  time,  but  brave  men  scorn  to  inflict  punishment  that  cannot  be 
meted  out  in  open,  honorable  warfare.  It  is  a  fact  that  those 
who  saw  the  least  fighting  were  most  cruel  in  the  treatment  of 
prisoners.  The  further  our  men  wrere  taken  from  the  scene  of 
conflict  the  harder  became  their  lot. 

Confederate  prisoners  in  our  hands  were  furnished  with  shel 
ter  and  sufficient  clothing  to  prevent  suffering,  but  were  not 
furnished  the  full  allowance  of  food  that  was  issued  to  our 
troops  in  the  field,  for  the  reason  that  their  lives  were  inactive, 
save  when  trying  to  escape,  and  they  did  not  need  so  much,  yet 
it  was  sufficient  for  any  ordinary  man  and  wrholesome  in  quality. 
To  eat  it  all,  one  would  be  more  likely  to  fall  victim  to  dyspepsia 
than  to  suffer  from  the  pangs  of  hunger. 

Colonel  Fox  says  that  during  the  whole  course  of  the  war 
220,000  Confederate  soldiers  fell  into  our  hands  as  prisoners  of 
war,  and  out  of  this  number  26,436  died  from  wounds  or  disease 
while  prisoners  in  our  hands,  being  a  mortality  of  12  per  cent. 

126,940  Union  soldiers  fell  into  Confederate  hands,  of  whom 
22,756  died  of  wounds  or  disease  in  Confederate  prisons,  a  mor 
tality  of  17.8  per  cent. 

The  above  figures  were  taken  from  "Regimental  Losses  in 
the  Civil  War,"  by  Col.  William  F.  Fox,  page  50,  and  purport 
to  have  been  taken  from  official  records  in  the  War  Department. 
Our  attention  was  called  to  them  as  being  erroneous,  and  we 
made  further  researches  for  reliable  information.  A  foot  note 
on  page  50,  above  referred  to,  after  referring  to  "imperfect 
records,"  says  :  "  The  mortality  of  Union  prisoners,  as  shown  by 
the  graves,  has  been  estimated  at  36,401."  This  shows  that 
Colonel  Fox  considered  his  estimate  too  small. 


349 


The  editor  of  The  National  Tribune  of  Washington,  B.C., 
made  a  careful  and  extensive  research  through  the  records  of  the 
War  Department ;  we  wrote  requesting  him  to  furnish  us  with 
the  result  of  it,  and  in  reply  received  the  following :  — 

OFFICE  OF  THE  NATIONAL  TRIBUNE, 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.,  June  13,  1896. 

Respectfully  returned.  The  number  of  U.S.  troops  captured  dur 
ing  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  was  221, G08,  of  whom  16,431  were 
paroled.  The  number  of  Confederates  captured  was  476,109,  of  whom 
248,599  were  paroled.  The  large  number  paroled  is  accounted  for 
from  the  troops  captured  at  Vicksburg,  and  those  incident  to  the  final 
surrender.  The  records  of  Southern  prisons,  in  possession  of  the 
government,  are  very  incomplete.  The  death  registers  have  not  been 
secured  from  Americus,  Atlanta  and  Augusta,  Ga.,  Camp  Ford  at  Tyler, 
Texas,  Camp  Ogletliorpe  at  Macon,  Ga.,  Charleston,  S.C.,  Lyncliburg, 
Va.,  Marietta  and  Savannah,  Ga.,  Mobile  and  Montgomery,  Ala.,  and 
Shreveport,  La.  Only  partial  records  were  obtained  from  these  import 
ant  prisons:  Cahaba,  Ala.,  Camp  Asylum,  Columbia  and  Florence,  S.C., 
Millen,  Ga.,  and  Salisbury,  X.C. 

The  incompleteness  of  the  interment  record  is  set  forth  in  a  report 
of  the  Quartermaster-General  U.S.A.,  in  1869,  where  he  says:  "It  is 
well  known  that  at  many  places,  as,  for  instance,  at  Salisbury,  N.C., 
and  Florence,  S.C.,  the  bodies  were  buried  in  trenches,  often  two,  three, 
sometimes  even  four  deep;  so  that  the  accurate  number  of  bodies 
interred  at  these  places  cannot  be  determined." 

The  facts  warrant  the  belief  that  the  actual  number  of  deaths  of 
Union  troops  in  the  prison  pens  of  the  South  very  greatly  exceeds  the 
number  shown  by  the  records,  which  is  29,498.  From  the  known 
number  that  died  at  Anderson ville,  over  13,000,  and  at  Salisbury  about 
12,000,  and  the  partially  known  number  that  died  at  other  prisons,  we 
are  safe  to  estimate  the  deaths  in  prison  pens  of,  approximating,  70,000 
Union  soldiers,  and  we  believe  this  estimate  is  under,  rather  than  over, 
the  actual  deaths. 

The  records  of  the  United  States  are  very  complete  as  to  the 
number  of  deaths  of  Confederate  prisoners,  which  show  a  total  of 
26,774. 

(Signed)         THE   XATIOXAL   TRIBUNE, 

Washington,  D.C. 

Per  W. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  there  is  a  wide  difference  between  this 
and  the  result  reached  by  Colonel  Fox,  though  both  are  supposed 
to  have  been  taken  from  the  same  source,  but  at  different  dates. 


350 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


If  we  accept  the  figures  given  by  The  National  Tribune  we  find, 
after  deducting  the  16,431  who  were  paroled,  that  there  were 
actually  205,177  Union  soldiers  held  as  prisoners  of  war  in  the 
South,  of  which  number  70,000  died  from  various  causes,  being 
a  mortality  of  over  thirty-four  per  cent.  Again,  deducting  the 
number  of  Confederate  prisoners  paroled,  248,599,  and  we  find 
that  there  were  actually  confined  in  Northern  prisons,  227,570 
Confederate  soldiers,  of  whom  26,774  died  from  various  causes, 
being  a  mortality  of  less  than  twelve  per  cent. 

It  will  be  seen  that  there  is  a  wide  difference  between  the 
statistics  given  by  Colonel  Fox  and  The  National  Tribune.  Colonel 
Fox  virtually  admits  an  error  by  stating  in  a  foot-note,  "The 
mortality  of  Union  prisoners,  as  shown  by  the  graves,  has  been 
estimated  at  36,401."  It  is  a  fact,  well  known  to  those  who 
were  in  Confederate  prisons,  that  their  records  of  deaths  and 
burials  were  very  imperfect,  and  that  often  two  or  more  would 
be  buried  in  the  same  grave,  or  trench,  and  no  record  made 
of  it. 

When  we  consider  the  large  number  reported  as  "  missing  in 
action,"  and  from  that  take  the  number  who  were  nevermore 
heard  from,  we  conclude  that  they  either  died  upon  the  field  of 
battle,  or  in  Confederate  prisons.  Note  such  cases  in  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts,  that  have  been  repeatedly  mentioned; 
names  of  men  whose  records  we  have  not  been  able  to  complete 
from  lack  of  information,  and  look  at  the  remarks  in  the  roster 
for  confirmation  of  this  conclusion.  The  Fifty- Seventh  is  no  ex 
ception,  in  this  respect,  to  other  regiments  that  suffered  heavy 
battle  losses. 

Some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war,  1870  and  1871,  we 
were  in  the  regular  service  and  on  duty  as  quartermaster  in 
Columbia,  South  Carolina.  It  was  reported  to  us  that  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  where  there  had  been  a  Confederate 
prison  camp,  there  were  many  unknown  graves  of  Union  soldiers. 
We  investigated  the  matter  and  found  such  to  be  the  fact.  Little 
mounds  were  found  through  the  fields  and  thickets,  which  upon 
being  opened,  were  found  to  contain  the  bones  of  Union  soldiers. 
In  no  case  could  the  name  or  regiment  be  found,  but  their 


HOME. 


351 


identity  as  Union  soldiers  was  shown  by  the  military  buttons  and 
the  partially  decayed  uniforms,  which  still  clung  to  them,  and 
in  which  they  were  buried ;  this  badge  of  honor,  that  clothed 
them  in  their  graves,  being  their  only  monument.  We  caused 
quite  a  number  of  these  remains  to  be  disinterred  and  buried  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Florence.  There  is  no  doubt  but  many 
more  were  scattered  through  the  country  that  were  never  found. 
Many  perished  in  the  swamps  in  their  endeavor  to  escape ;  the 
savage  bloodhounds  that  were  sent  in  pursuit  were  not  messengers 
of  peace  or  angels  of  mercy. 

We  think  Colonel  Fox  took  only  the  known  number  of  deaths 
in  Confederate  prisons,  as  recorded,  and  made  no  allowance  for 
imperfect  Confederate  records,  while  The  National  Tribune  took, 
as  a  basis  of  calculation,  the  whole  number  of  those  who  were 
known  to  have  fallen  into  Confederate  hands,  retained  as  prisoners 
of  war  and  never  again  heard  from,  the  reasonable  conclusion 
being  that  they  died  while  prisoners  of  war.  In  view  of  these 
facts  we  incline  to  the  opinion  that  the  figures  given  by  The 
National  Tribune  are  nearer  correct  than  those  by  Colonel  Fox. 

The  consideration  of  this  subject  brings  us  to  refer  again  to 
the  extravagant  figures  given  by  Pollard  in  "The  Lost  Cause," 
quoted  on  page  325  of  this  work,  who  claims  that  the  Confeder 
ates  had  only  174,223  men  under  arms,  while  the  official  records 
in  the  War  Department  show  that  the  number  of  Confederates 
captured  by  our  troops  was  476,169,  or  nearly  half  a  million,  and 
this  is  not  taking  into  account  the  large  number  known  to  have 
thrown  away  their  arms  and  returned  to  their  homes,  without  the 
formality  of  a  surrender  and  parole.  While  we  had  such  a  large 
number  of  Confederate  prisoners  some  one  was  back  in  Dixie 
doing  "powerful"  fighting.  Who  was  it?  Could  it  have  been 
that  gallant  force  of  women  and  children  under  Jefferson  Davis 
that  was  found  on  the  10th  of  May,  1865,  in  the  "last  ditch" 
near  Irwinsville,  Ga? 

The  greatest  percentage  of  prison  mortality  was  at  Ander- 
sonville,  where  the  suffering  seemed  to  be  inflicted  with  a  wanton 
ness  that  was  a  disgrace  to  civilization.  Even  Confederate 
humanity,  when  shorn  of  its  malice,  protested  against  it. 


352  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  General  Winder  being  relieved  from 
duty  in  Richmond  and  ordered  to  Andersonville,  the  Richmond 
Examiner  said :  ' '  Thank  God  that  Richmond  is  at  last  rid  of 
old  Winder,  but  God  have  mercy  upon  those  to  whom  he  has 
been  sent."  It  would  appear  that  the  Examiner  considered  that 
there  was  no  other  source  of  mercy,  in  the  Confederacy,  for  our 
men  who  were  suffering  as  prisoners  of  war. 

The  Confederate  authorities  reported  Andersonville  as  a 
"  healthy  locality,  plenty  of  pure  good  water,  a  running  stream, 
and,  if  possible,  shade  trees,  and  in  the  immediate  neighborhood 
of  grist  and  saw  mills."  They  also  claim  that  the  food  issued  to 
the  prisoners  there  was  the  same  in  quantity  and  quality  as  that 
issued  to  their  own  soldiers  who  were  the  guard,  that  the  cause  of 
those  who  suffered  from  insufficiency  of  food  was  because  they 
traded  it  for  whiskey  and  tobacco,  and  that  one  great  cause  of 
the  unusual  mortality  was  that  the  prisoners  themselves  ' '  mani 
fested  a  most  abominable  disregard  of  all  sanitary  regulations." 
They  also  alleged  that  our  government  was  wholly  indifferent  to 
the  sufferings  of  its  own  men  who  were  prisoners  of  war,  and  re 
fused  to  enter  into  negotiations  for  exchange.  Such  statements, 
at  one  time,  gained  considerable  credence  among  the  prisoners 
who  were  not  acquainted  with  the  circumstances.  In  the  first 
place,  the  Confederates  demanded  an  equal  exchange  of  all  pris 
oners,  man  for  man,  and  officer  for  officer  of  like  grade,  all  the 
surplus  held  by  our  government  to  be  released  on  parole.  It  had 
been  the  practice  of  the  Confederate  government  to  declare 
paroled  prisoners  exchanged  where  none  had  been  given  up  from 
their  prison  pens.  This  was  notably  the  case  with  those  who 
surrendered  to  General  Grant  at  Vicksburg,  nearly  all  of  whom 
were  found  again  in  the  Confederate  army  before  having  been 
properly  exchanged.  Such  breaches  of  faith  had  taught  the  Fed 
eral  authorities  a  lesson.  The  Confederates  finally  modified  their 
request  so  far  as  to  ask  for  an  equal  exchange  man  for  man,  but 
even  this  gave  them  an  immense  advantage,  as  fully  seventy-five 
per  cent  of  their  men  would  return  in  good  physical  condition,  to 
again  take  the  field  at  once,  while  not  ten  per  cent  of  our  men 
returning  from  Andersonville  would  be  able  to  take  the  field  for 


«<4M|PM 


\ 


W.    H.    WHIPPLE, 

Co.  K,  57th  Mass. 


HOME. 


353 


weeks,  or  perhaps  months,  and  not  more  than  one-half  of  them 
were  ever  able  to  return  to  duty. 

The  question  of  exchange  is  beyond  our  province.  The  war 
is  over  and  we  have  no  desire  to  rake  up  the  horrors  of  it  anew  or 
to  tear  open  the  wounds  that  time  has  healed.  It  should  be  the 
duty  of  those  who  battled  for  our  country  to  treasure  only  those 
feelings  of  charity  and  fraternity,  which  permit  us  to  remember 
the  gall  of  bitterness  as  only  the  dregs  of  cruel  war,  nnd  some 
thing  we  cannot  think  of  with  pleasure,  and  would,  therefore, 
gladly  forget.  We  fought  for  the  restoration  of  our  Union,  and  to 
bring  these  people  back  into  it  again.  After  having  accomplished 
this  at  a  great  sacrifice,  let  us  not  taunt  them  with  their  defeat  or 
the  wrongs  they  committed  at  a  time  when  the  bitter  passions  of 
war  rose  to  such  a  high  pitch.  In  order  to  carry  on  a  war  there 
must  of  necessity  be  a  bitter  feeling  coupled  with  a  firm  belietf  in 
the  justice  of  the  cause.  Without  this  there  could  be  no  war. 

The  Federal  soldier  can  rejoice  in  the  great  victory  won  and 
can  afford  to  bury  all  feelings  of  animosity  in  eternal  oblivion. 
The  Confederate  soldier,  too,  has  reason  to  rejoice  in  a  reunited 
country  and  can  feel  a  just  pride  in  his  gallant  record  upon  many 
a  bloody  field.  But  his  deeds  were  those  of  an  American  and  as 
such  we  are  proud  to  see  them  written  upon  the  pages  of  Ameri 
can  history.  There  are  a  few  yet  who  still  love  to  cherish  a 
sentiment  for  the  "  Lost  Cause,"  as  it  forms  a  sort  of  romantic 
halo  around  the  memories  of  the  past.  If  the  prize  for  which 
they  so  gallantly  contended  were  offered  them  now,  without  a 
single  sacrifice,  we  believe  they  would  spurn  it  with  contempt  and 
stand  up  manfully  and  loyally  for  the  old  fiag. 

It  is  natural  for  them,  as  well  as  for  us,  to  treasure  the  memory 
of  past  associations  which  will  ever  remain  dear  to  them.  Hav 
ing  deprived  them  of  their  cause  we  do  not  seek  to  rob  them  of 
the  memories  wThich  cluster  around  their  gallant  achievements. 
On  many  occasions  the  two  have  met  since  the  war  in  a  feeling  of 
fraternity  and  friendship.  We  can  sit  down  and  talk  over  our 
old  battles  together  with  no  feeling  of  animosity. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


REGIMENTAL    REUX IONS. 

lt  Still  one  in  life  and  one  in  death. 
One  in  the  hope  of  rest  above  : 
One  in  our  joy,  our  trust,  our  faith, 
One  in  eaeli  other's  faithful  love." 

A) U RING  our  long  association,  it  is  not  strange  that 
some  unpleasant  incidents  arose  to  disturb  the  har 
mony  of  our  relations,  where  injustice  was  done 
and  erroneous  judgments  made.  Such  was  but  the 
natural  result  of  the  bringing  together  of  so  many  men 
from  different  sections,  with  different  dispositions,  under 
new  and  strange  conditions,  and  where  the  majority  had 
not  known  each  other  before.  The  Fifty-Seventh  was  no  different 
in  this  respect  from  other  regiments  ;  but  all  this  has  long  since 
been  buried  with  the  dead  past  and  we  find  no  pleasure  in  calling 
it  again  to  mind.  We  Avish  to  treasure  only  that  which  was  good 
and  right  and  which  contributed  to  the  welfare  of  our  common 
cause,  forgetting  all  else.  Ties  that  are  formed  at  times  when 
the  souls  of  men  are  stirred  from  their  very  depths,  and  the 
swaying  passions  are  driven  impetuously  forward,  through  the 
breakers,  in  a  struggle  of  life  and  death,  are  stronger  and  more 
enduring  than  those  formed  under  the  ordinary  conditions  of 
social  life. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  and  comrades  had  become  widely 
separated,  as  the  stirring  scenes  of  the  past  presented  themselves 
to  our  minds,  these  ties  became  stronger  and  it  wTas  felt  that 
something  should  be  done  to  keep  alive  those  memories  which  we 
had  learned  to  prize  so  dearly.  With  this  object  in  view  the  idea 
was  conceived  of  forming  an  organization  to  be  known  as  "  The 


356 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Fifty-Seventh  Regimental  Association,"  which  was  to  meet  at 
some  convenient  place  once  each  year  to  renew  our  old  relations 
of  fraternity  and  to  keep  alive  that  feeling  of  comradeship  that 
had  sprung  from  past  associations  in  camp  and  field. 

On  the  6th  of  Ma}^,  1867,  about  sixty  of  the  members  of  the 
old  regiment  met  at  the  Bay  State  House  in  Worcester,  and  organ 
ized  "The  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Regimental  Association." 
Gen.  William  F.  Bartlett  was  elected  President,  with  one  non 
commissioned  officer  from  each  company  as  Vice-Presidents. 
Lieut.  George  E.  Priest  was  elected  Secretary  and  Lieut.  Charles 
H.  Pinkham,  Treasurer. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  formulate  and  report  a 
preamble,  which  was  adopted,  expressing  the  object  of  the 
Association,  as  follows:  "To  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the 
regiment,  and  to  bring  the  members  together  for  social  reunion, 
and  to  benefit  each  other  by  sympathy,  influence  and  pecuniary 
aid,  when  needed."  An  assessment  of  one  dollar  each  year  was 
voted  upon  all  members  which  was  to  be  the  basis  of  a  fund  for 
the  benefit  of  the  members  of  the  Association,  those  unable  to 
pay  to  be  admitted  free.  By-laws  were  adopted,  after  which  the 
meeting  adjourned. 

The  Second  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  the  city  of  Worces 
ter,  May  6th,  1868,  when  Bvt.-Maj.  H.  L.  Swords  was  elected 
President. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted,  and  ordered  printed, 
on  the  deaths  of  Lieut. -Col.  J.  M.  Tucker  and  Capt.  John  L. 
Goodwin  :  — 

WHEREAS,  Since  our  last  reunion,  our  heavenly  Father  has  seen  fit 
to  call  to  their  final  reward,  our  comrades  Col.  J.  M.  Tucker  and  Capt. 
John  L.  Goodwin:  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  sustain  an  irreparable  loss  in  the  death  of  these 
tried  brothers  who  marched  with  us,  fought  with  us  and  were  wounded 
severely  while  connected  with  us. 

Resolved,  That  in  this  affliction  we  are  consoled  by  the  fact  that 
they  are  removed  forever  from  the  danger  of  wounds  and  their  sufferings 
have  ceased. 

Resolved,  That  we  remember  with  pleasure  their  bravery,  ability 
and  gentlemanly  conduct. 


REGIMENTAL    REUNIONS. 


357 


Resolved,  That  we  offer  our  heartfelt  sympathy  to  the  father  who 
was  made  proud  by  the  gallantry  of  his  son  and  the  widow  who  cheer 
fully  gave  her  husband  to  the  cause  of  her  country. 

The  Third  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Worcester,  May  6th, 
I860.  Capt.  Charles  D.  Hollis  was  elected  President  About 
thirty  of  the  members  were  present  who  partook  of  a  dinner  at 
the  Lincoln  House.  After  renewing  old  associations  and  remi 
niscences  of  camp  and  field  life,  the  Association  adjourned. 

The  Fourth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Lincoln  Hall, 
Worcester,  on  the  6th  day  of  May,  1870.  Capt  Charles  D. 
Hollis  was  re-elected  President.  Dinner  was  again  served  at  the 
Lincoln  House,  and  after  a  pleasant  intercourse  the  Association 
adjourned. 

The  Fifth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  at  the  Lincoln  House, 
May  6th,  1871.  Dinner  was  served  as  usual,  after  which  some 
time  was  spent  in  recounting  old  scenes  of  field  and  camp.  Capt. 
Charles  D.  Hollis  was  again  re-elected  President  by  acclamation. 

The  Sixth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Lincoln  Hall, 
Worcester,  May  6th,  1872.  Capt.  George  K.  Barton  was  elected 
President.  Letters  were  read  from  Generals  Burnside  and 
Baitlett  expressing  their  sympathies  with  the  objects  of  the 
reunions  and  regrets  that  previous  engagements  would  not  permit 
of  their  being  present.  A  generous  sum  was  subscribed  to  aid  in 
the  erection  of  a  memorial  tablet  over  the  grave  of  the  late  Gov. 
John  A.  Andrew,  at  Hiugham.  After  partaking  of  an  excellent 
dinner,  some  time  was  devoted  to  social  reunion  and  renewal  of 
the  old  ties  of  friendship. 

The  Seventh  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Lincoln  Hall, 
Worcester,  May  6th,  1873.  At  the  business  meeting,  Bvt.-Maj. 
John  H.  Cook  was  elected  President.  Many  letters  were  read 
from  absent  members  who  were  unable,  from  various  causes,  to 
be  present.  Measures  were  adopted  for  pleasure  at  future  re 
unions  and  to  awaken  a  greater  interest  in  the  welfare  and  per 
petuity  of  the  Association.  The  deaths  of  Commissary  Sergeant 
David  F.  Lawry  and  George  R.  Edgecomb  were  reported,  and 
resolutions  adopted  as  follows  :  — 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

WHEREAS,  We  have,  on  this  day  of  our  reunion,  received  the  sad 
intelligence  of  the  deaths  of  our  comrades  David  F.  Lawry  and  George  R. 
Edgecomb :  therefore,  be  it 

Kesolved,  That  we,  as  an  association,  and  as  comrades,  while  testi 
fying  our  regard  for  our  late  comrades,  both  as  brothers  and  soldiers,  do 
tender  our  heartfelt  sympathy  to  their  bereaved  families,  feeling  assured 
that  what  is  their  loss  will  be  our  comrades'  gain. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded  to  the 
families  of  the  deceased. 

It  was  decided  to  hold  the  next  annual  reunion  as  a  picnic 
party  at  Lake  Quiusigamond,  on  the  30th  of  July,  in  commemo 
ration  of  the  battle  at  the  explosion  of  the  mine  before  Peters 
burg,  Va. 

The  Eighth  Annual  Reunion  was  accordingly  held  upon  the 
shores  of  the  beautiful  Lake  Quinsigamoud,  near  Worcester, 
July  30th,  1874.  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook  was  re-elected  Presi 
dent.  The  attendance  was  larger  than  at  any  former  reunion. 
The  dinner  at  the  Quinsigamond  House  reminded  the  comrades  of 
what  they  had  been  accustomed  to  in  the  field,  and  was  regarded 
as  a  success  in  that  direction,  and  probably  helped  to  bring  back 
old  associations  when  the  commissary  department  was  not  in 
good  working  order. 

After  partaking  of  rations  a  social  meeting  was  held  in  a 
grove  near  the  house.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Captains 
Cook  and  Priest,  and  a  very  appropriate  little  poem  read  by 
Dr.  Heath.  After  singing  "'  Auld  Lang  Syne,"  the  comrades 
returned  to  Worcester  by  the  narrow  gauge  railroad,  where,  after 
handshakings,  they  separated. 

The  Ninth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  the  city  of  Fitch- 
burg,  July  30th,  1875,  by  invitation  of  members  of  Company  F. 
Captain  Lawrence  received  the  comrades  in  behalf  of  the  company 
in  a  very  appropriate  address  of  welcome,  which  was  eloquently 
responded  to  by  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook.  The  welcome  at  Fitch- 
burg  was  a  cordial  one  and  the  generous  hospitality  extended  the 
visiting  comrades  was  one  greatly  appreciated  and  long  to  be 
remembered. 

No  town  or  city  in  Massachusetts  excelled  Fitchburg  in  her 
unswerving  loyalty  and  devotion  to  the  Union  during  the  war. 


REGIMENTAL    REUNIONS 


350 


This  reunion  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  pleasant 
in  the  history  of  the  regiment.  The  whole  city  seemed  to  catch 
the  spirit  of  fraternity  which  these  men  had  met  to  perpetuate. 

Upon  this  occasion  Chaplain  Dashiell  delivered  a  very  elo 
quent  and  touching  address  upon  "  Our  Dead  and  Their  Claims 
upon  Us."  He  very  ably  followed  the  regiment  through  the 
various  battles  iu  which  it  participated  and  paid  a  fitting  tribute 
to  those  brave  and  loyal  men  who  answered  their  country's  call 
and  laid  down  their  lives  in  its  defence,  mentioning  the  names  of 
Chandler,  Doherty,  Howe,  Dresser,  Cheney,  Bowman,  Prescott, 
Murdock,  Coe  and  several  of  the  enlisted  men. 

Among  other  things,  he  spoke  of  the  important  duty  that 
would  devolve  upon  the  historian  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massa 
chusetts,  in  preserving  the  record  of  that  gallant  old  regiment  and 
the  valiant  deeds  of  those  who  made  it.  We,  the  historian,  feel 
the  importance  of  such  a  task  which  we  know  all  are  anticipating, 
yet  to  do  the  subject  justice,  requires  a  pen  wielded  with  more 
than  human  power  and  eloquence.  Not  one,  from  the  highest 
officer  down  to  the  private  soldier,  who  sacrificed  his  life  upon  the 
altar  of  his  country,  but  merits  a  volume  larger  than  this,  which 
is  only  a  small  exponent  of  what  is  due  them.  The  memory  of 
their  deeds  is  immortal. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  :  — 

WHEREAS,  The  names  of  Comrades  James  II .  Holland,  James  Welch, 
John  E.  Grout  and  Luther  C.  Hawkins  have  been  stricken  from  the 
muster  roll  on  earth,  and  added  to  our  larger  one  above ; 

Itesolrc.d,  That  we  remember  with  pleasure  their  good  record,  that 
we  regret  their  transfer  and  sympathize  with  their  mourning  relatives. 

Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook  was  again  re-elected  President.  A 
vote  of  thanks  was  extended  to  the  members  of  Company  F  for 
their  hospitality  and  to  Chaplain  Dashiell  for  his  able  address. 
It  was  voted  to  hold  the  next  reunion  in  Boston.  After  singing 
"  Auld  Lang  Syne"  the  members  dispersed. 

The  Tenth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  the  city  of  Boston, 
July  30th,  1876.  Upon  this  occasion  a  deviation  was  made  from 
the  ordinary  course  and  the  steam  yacht  Emily  was  chartered  to 


360 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


sail  down  the  harbor  and  around  the  lovely  little  islands  which 
stud  it  like  jewels  in  a  crown.  A  business  meeting  was  held  on 
the  downward  trip,  in  which  Capt.  George  E.  Priest  was  elected 
President  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Resolutions  of  regret  were  adopted  that  the  illness  of  General 
Bartlett  prevented  his  being  present  and  for  the  deaths  during  the 
previous  year  of  Frank  Wellman  and  Cephas  Pasco. 

After  cruising  along  Nantasket  beach,  a  stop  was  made  at 
Long  Island,  where  dinner  was  served  at  the  hotel.  Upon  the 
return  trip  a  stop  was  made  at  Fort  Warren  to  leave  Colonel 
Randol,  U.S.  Army,  who  was  a  guest  of  the  Association.  Boston 
was  reached  just  after  dark.  The  comrades  joined  hands  in  an 
unbroken  circle,  and  after  singing  Burns'  immortal  "  Aulcl  Lang 
Syne,"  adjourned,  to  meet  again  in  Worcester,  July  30th,  1877. 

The  Eleventh  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Worcester  as  per 
previous  adjournment,  July  30th,  1877.  The  attendance  was 
unusually  large  and  matters  of  interest  considered,  the  greatest 
of  which  was  that  of  the  death  of  General  Bartlett.  As  we  have 
already  noticed  the  eulogies  that  were  pronounced  in  honor  of  his 
memory,  we  will  not  repeat  them.  The  following  resolutions 
were  adopted  :  — 

WHEREAS,  God,  in  His  providence,  has  removed  from  us  our  old 
commander  and  friend,  Gen.  William  Francis  Bartlett,  we,  the  surviving 
members  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  in  reunion 
assembled,  do  therefore, 

Eesoh-e,  That  the  approbation  that  attaches  to  his  name  is  war 
ranted  by  a  character  and  career  not  less  brilliant  than  the  patriotism 
that  inspired  it;  that  as  a  soldier  his  name  stands  synonymous  with  pure 
patriotism,  loyalty  to  duty  and  dignified  and  unflinching  bravery,  and  as 
a  man  he  possessed  the  qualities  that  made  an  estimable  citizen  and  a 
sincere  and  esteemed  friend. 

Resolved,  That  whatever  of  honor  associates  itself  with  the  record 
of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Regiment,  was  in  no  small  part  the  inspiration  of 
his  character  and  example,  and  we  claim  a  just  pride  in  recording  the 
fact  that  he  was  our  commander. 

Resolved,  That  we  mourn  his  loss  with  profound  and  abiding 
grief,  and  cherish  his  memory  with  fond  esteem  and  deep  affection ; 
and.  reluctantly  intruding  the  circle  of  domestic  grief,  we  delicately 
but  tenderly  extend  our  sympathy  to  wife,  children  and  parents,  and 


REGIMENTAL   REUNIONS. 


361 


ask  that  the  tears  of  his  old  soldiers  may  mingle  with  theirs  upon  his 
grave. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded  to  his 
family  and  to  his  parents,  and  that  they  be  entered  upon  the  records  of 
the  Association. 

Bvt.-Maj.  Jolm  H.  Cook  then  spoke  upon  the  resolutions 
and  delivered  a  lengthy  address  in  eulogy  of  General  Bartlett, 
speaking  in  eloquent  language  of  the  love  and  honor  which  the 
surviving  comrades  bore  their  old  commander,  and  gave  a  brief 
sketch  of  his  life  and  military  service,  of  his  great  magnanimity 
towards  those  who  had  been  in  arms  against  our  country,  and 
showing  the  examples  of  liis  life  and  spotless  character  to  be 
worthy  of  emulation,  saying:  "Such  men  can  never  die.  The 
grave  may  swallow  up  that  which  we  know  of  form  and  feature, 
but  behind  will  remain  forces  and  tendencies  which  they  set  in 
motion,  which  will  forever  grow  and  multiply.  For  every  tear 
that  falls  on  graves  like  his,  some  good  is  born,  some  virtue  grows 
to  walk  the  earth  and  bless  it  with  its  presence.  Though  dead, 
he  speaks,  and  future  generations  are  his  audiences." 

Chaplain  A.  H.  Dashiell  also  paid  a  very  beautiful  tribute  to 
his  memory,  and  spoke  of  the  great  love  he  bore  for  him  as  a 
personal  friend. 

H.  F.  Chandler  of  Lawrence  was  elected  President  for  the 
ensuing  year,  after  which  the  company  broke  up  with  the  familial- 
strains  of  "  Auld  Lang  Syne." 

The  Twelfth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  at  Westboro,  July 
30th,  1878.  The  business  meeting  was  held  in  the  rooms  of  the 
Westboro  Reform  Club.  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook  was  again 
elected  President.  Letters  were  read  from  absent  members  re 
gretting  their  inability  to  be  present.  A  letter  was  read  from 
J.  Brainerd  Hall  announcing  the  death  of  Capt.  George  E.  Barton, 
which  took  place  in  the  city  of  Worcester,  Wednesday,  May  29th, 
I<s78,  and  communicating  to  the  Association  the  resolutions 
adopted  by  the  members  in  Worcester  of  the  51st  and  57th  regi 
ments  at  a  meeting  held  by  them  to  take  action  in  reference  to  his 
death  and  funeral,  and  recommending  that  they  be  entered  upon 
the  records,  which  recommendation  was  adopted.  The  resolu 
tions  were  as  follows  :  — 


362  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS, 

WHEREAS,  We,  the  members  of  the  51st  and  57th  regiments  of 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  have  heard  of  the  final  muster-out  of  our  old 
comrade  and  friend  George  E.  Barton,  late  Sergeant-Major  of  the  51st 
and  Captain  of  the  57th;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  his  associates  in  the  camp,  on  the  march,  in  the 
field  and  the  hospital,  cherish  his  memory  as  an  affectionate  comrade  in 
arms,  a  brave  soldier,  loyal  to  his  country  and  comrades  and  of  unflinch 
ing  bravery  in  the  hour  of  danger. 

Resolved,  That  \ve  tender  our  heartfelt  sympathy  to  his  bereaved 
family,  to  his  aged  mother,  who  has  been  the  silent  author  of  so  many 
kind  acts  to  the  soldiers  in  her  boy's  command,  and  to  his  brothers,  who 
have,  in  every  sense  of  the  Avord,  been  the  soldiers'  true  friends. 

Resolved,  That  we  send  a  floral  tribute  to  be  placed  upon  the  casket, 
that  we  attend  the  funeral  in  a  body,  and  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
be  sent  to  his  family. 

Dinner  was  served  at  the  Westboro  House.  The  place  of 
meeting  for  the  following  year  was  left  to  the  officers  of  the 
Association. 

The  Thirteenth  Annual  Reunion  was  again  held  at  Fitchburg, 
July  30th,  1879.  Maj.  E.  P.  Gould  was  elected  President  for  the 
ensuing  year.  After  the  business  meeting  letters  were  read 
from  absent  members.  Resolutions  were  again  adopted  by  the 
Association  in  relation  to  the  death  of  Captain  Barton.  Bvt.-Maj. 
John  H.  Cook  then  paid  the  following  tribute  to  his  memory :  — 

"I  cannot  let  this  occasion  pass  without  expressing  iu  my 
poor  way  my  feelings  in  regard  to  these  resolutions  and  the 
deceased  comrade  to  whom  they  refer.  My  association  with  the 
regiment  was  so  short  and  disjointed,  that  I  could  not  well,  from 
out  my  own  recollections,  weave  the  thread  of  his  life  into  a  con 
nected  historical  recital.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  relate  the  story 
of  his  life,  but  to  briefly  speak  of  him  as  a  comrade  and  a  warm 
personal  friend.  The  period  of  my  military  association  with  him 
was  short,  covering  only  the  winter  at  Camp  Wool,  together  with 
the  time  intervening  between  the  battle  of  June  17th,  1864,  and 
the  21st  of  the  following  mouth. 

"  During  the  winter  at  Camp  Wool  he  was  one  of  my  most 
intimate  associates,  and  during  my  brief  service  in  the  field  he 
was  my  bunk  mate,  and  the  nearest  and  dearest  of  all  my  com- 


REGIMENTAL  REUNIONS.  OOO 

racles.  To  say  that  I  loved  him  would  but  poorly  express  the 
emotions  of  my  heart.  I  loved  him  dearly,  and  rather  as  a 
brother  than  as  a  comrade.  I  can  recall  no  army  comrade  who 
shared  my  confidence  and  love  to  a  larger  extent  than  did  he, 
and  I  believe  it  was  all  reciprocated  by  him.  Nor  did  this  attach 
ment  end  with  the  ending  of  our  military  association,  but  con 
tinued  till  his  death. 

"  As  a  comrade  I  remember  him  as  a  brave  soldier  and  a 
kind  and  generous  companion  ;  as  a  friend  he  was  constant  and 
affectionate.  His  native  qualities  were  of  that  character  which 
go  to  make  a  noble  manhood.  His  presence,  even  in  the  darkest 
hours,  was  always  a  ray  of  sunlight.  However  dark  the  situation, 
whatever  clouds  obscured  the  sky,  in  sickness  or  in  health,  he  wras 
always  the  same  bright  sunn}?  self. 

"  I  desire  to  speak  of  one  quality  he  possessed  to  an  extraor 
dinary  degree.  I  allude  to  the  amiability  of  his  character.  He 
was  of  the  most  loving  temperament.  Who  of  you  ever  knew 
him  to  l>e  in  an  angry  mood?  Presuming  on  our  intimate  friend 
ship,  I  have  often  chided  him,  even  to  harshness,  for  some  real 
or  fancied  error  I  thought  was  his,  but  even  when  a  sense  of  jus 
tice  m'ight  have  prompted  him  into  angry  retort,  he  would,  with  a 
joke  and  cheery  laugh,  pass  it  off  as  unworthy  of  resentment. 
He  was  a  person  of  whom  it  might  be  said  that  to  know  him  was 
to  love  him. 

"Another  noble  quality  in  him  was  frankness;  and  I  might 
almost  say  that  this  characteristic  was  so  prominent  as  to  be  his 
besetting  sin.  Hypocrisy  found  no  abiding  place  in  him.  His 
life  was  an  open  book  to  be  read  by  all  who  chose  to  read. 
Whatever  his  actions  or  conduct,  he  never  shut  them  from  the 
light  of  day.  To  deny  that  his  life  had  errors,  would  be  to  deny 
his  humanity  and  our  right  to  fellowship  with  him.  But  whatever 
they  may  have  been,  over  them  all  I  draw  a  mantle  of  charity. 

"  Far  be  it  from  me  to  sit  in  judgment  over  him  or  you. 
Ringing  down  through  nearly  nineteen  centuries,  I  hear  that 
command  '  Judge  not  lest  ye  be  judged,'  and  I  say  my  life's  too 
short,  my  time  too  scarce  and  I'm  too  wricked  to  sit  in  judgment 
on  my  fellow-men.  But  that  he  and  you  had  and  have  virtues,  I 


364 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    KEGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


shall  pause  to  note,  content  that  God  knows  the  chaff  and  wheat, 
and  that  His  tender  mercy  in  the  time  to  come,  will  winnow  out 
the  golden  grains  for  the  eternal  husbandry  of  heaven.  Farewell, 
sweet,  gentle  spirit ;  you  were  not  perfect  till  death  made  you  so ; 
you  had  your  share,  no  more,  of  human  errors,  but  death  has 
freed  thee.  You  will  never  meet  us  here  again,  but  a  green  and 
loving  memory  shall  ever  mark  thy  presence  with  us.  Never 
more  will  *  Auld  Lang  Syne  '  be  sung,  but  there  will  come  to  us  a 
note  of  sadness  in  its  strains,  for  the  voice  of  our  chorister,  who, 
joining  hands,  led  off  with  the  melody  of  a  happy  heart,  is  hushed 
forever. 

"  And  now,  one  more  word  to  you,  my  comrades.  Let  us 
not  in  the  hour  of  sadness  forget  that  it  has  its  admonitions  also. 
I  little  thought  two  years  ago.  when  in  AVorcester,  I  bade  our 
comrade  goodby,  I  next  should  see  his  straightened  form 
coffined  for  the  grave.  Who  was  there  then  among  us  who  had 
apparently  greater  hopes  for  a  long  and  happy  life  ?  But  another 
star  has  fallen  and  he  is  gone.  Another  chair  is  vacant  at  our 
board  never  to  be  filled.  Today  we  commence  another  year 
whose  closing  is  beyond  mortal  ken.  What  events  are  confined 
within  its  borders  we  cannot  tell.  In  the  ordering  of  nature,'  we, 
too,  shall  pass  along  down  to  that  shore  that  men  call  death  and 
cross  over  to  the  other  side.  Being  ever  mindful  that  as  we  push 
this  anniversary  day  forward  into  the  future  our  members  will 
decrease,  let  us  resolve,  that  as  our  little  circle  narrows  down, 
through  the  memories  of  those  that  have  gone  before,  we  will 
grow  in  fraternal  love  and  fellowship  each  for  one  another." 

The  Fourteenth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  at  the  Bay  State 
House,  in  the  city  of  Worcester,  June  17th,  1880.  About  thirty- 
five  members  were  present.  At  the  business  meeting  F.  M. 
Harrington  of  Northboro  was  chosen  President,  and  the  following 
resolutions  adopted  in  relation  to  comrades  who  had  died  during 
the  previous  year  :  — 

Eesolved,  That  we  have  heard  with  sorrow  of  the  deaths  during  the 
past  year  of  Comrades  Walter  R.  Foster  of  AVorcester,  of  Company  II, 
David  N.  Chapin  of  Westboro,  of  Company  B,  George  Wellman  of  New 
York  City,  of  Company  H,  Michael  O'Donnell  of  Fitchburg,  of  Company 
F  and  James  H.  Raymond  of  Worcester,  all  of  the  Fifty-Seventh. 


REGIMENTAL   REUNIONS. 


365 


Besolced,  That  in  these  men  we  found  brave  soldiers,  tried  com 
rades  and  good  citizens,  and  we  sincerely  mourn  their  departure 
from  us. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  entered  upon  the  records  of  the 
Association,  and  copies  sent  to  the  families  of  the  deceased. 

Letters  were  read  from  absent  members  and,  after  the  usual 
proceedings,  the  Association  adjourned. 

The  Fifteenth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  at  the  Bay  State 
House  in  Worcester,  June  17th,  1881.  In  the  absence  of  the 
President,  J.  Brainerd  Hall  was  chosen  President  pro  tern. 
The  usual  number  were  present.  After  an  informal  meeting  the 
Association  marched  to  Rural  Cemetery  and  decorated  the  graves 
of  deceased  comrades. 

Subsequently  at  a  business  meeting  the  following  resolution 
was  adopted  :  — 

Resolced,  That  the  Association  has  heard  with  unfeigned  sorrow  of 
the  deaths  during  the  past  year  of  Lieut.  Henry  M.  Ide  and  Comrade 
William  A.  Moore,  and  here  record  a  high  estimate  of  their  services  as 
soldiers,  and  tender  our  sincere  sympathy  to  bereaved  friends. 

At  the  business  meeting,  after  dinner,  F.  M.  Harrington  of 
Northboro  was  re-elected  President.  The  time  and  place  of  the 
next  meeting  was  left  to  the  officers. 

The  Sixteenth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Grand  Army 
Hall,  Worcester,  June  17th,  1882,  and  was  well  attended.  The 
secretary  announced  the  following  deaths  in  the  Association 
during  the  year:  John  Teague,  July  1st,  1881,  and  Warren 
Grimes  of  Salem,  about  May  18th,  1882.  Resolutions  of  respect 
to  their  memory  were  adopted.  F.  M.  Harrington  was  again 
re-elected  President. 

The  Seventeenth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  at  the  United 
States  Hotel,  Worcester,  June  17th,  1883.  About  seventy-five 
members  of  the  two  organizations  (57th  and  59th)  were  present. 
The  time  was  pleasantly  spent  in  reminiscences  of  army  life  and 
personal  incidents  both  serious  and  ludicrous. 

The  deaths  during  the  previous  year  were  reported  of  Lieut. 
James  Peacock  of  Worcester,  Comrades  Amasa  B.  Bemis  of 


366 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMKXT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Springfield  and  Augustus  J.  Trussell.  Resolutions  in  honor  of 
their  memory  were  adopted. 

A  roll  of  honor  of  those  who  enlisted  from  the  Universalist 
Sunday  school  of  Worcester  was  exhibited  by  Comrade  Charles 
Goodwin,  brother  of  John  L.  Goodwin,  who  is  an  honorary  mem 
ber  of  the  Association,  containing  the  following  names  of  those  of 
the  Sunday  school  who  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-Seventh  and  gave 
their  lives  for  their  country,  viz.  :  Capt.  John  L.  Goodwin,  Sergt. 
William  E.  Park,  Corp.  Henry  L.  Park,  Walter  R.  Foster  and 
Charles  E.  Young.  A  poem,  composed  for  the  occasion  by 
Ur.  Heath  of  Lee,  was  read  by  him.  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook 
of  Boston  was  elected  President.  After  voting  to  hold  the  next 
reunion  in  Worcester  the  Association  adjourned. 

The  Eighteenth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Temperance 
Hall,  Worcester,  June  17th,  3884.  The  reunion  was  attended  by  a 
number  of  distinguished  individuals,  both  civic  and  military.  The 
President,  Bvt.-Maj.  John  II.  Cook,  called  the  attention  of  com 
rades  to  the  necessity  of  making  a  greater  effort  to  bring  out  a 
larger  attendance  and  all  were  called  upon  to  report,  as  far  as 
known,  the  addresses  of  the  surviving  members  of  the  Association 
and  more  especially  to  report  the  death  of  any  member,  in  order 
that  a  record  of  it  could  be  made.  It  was  hoped  that  in  this  way 
a  roster  could  be  made  which  would  be  approximately  correct. 

During  the  previous  winter  a  circular  had  been  sent  to  each 
member  asking  him  to  send  to  the  Secretary  the  name  and  address 
of  each  known  comrade.  The  circular  did  not  receive  the  attention 
it  merited  and  but  few  replies  were  made.  More  was  accom 
plished  through  an  extended  correspondence  with  various  G.A.R. 
Posts,  officers  of  towns  and  large  personal  correspondence.  This 
involved  extra  expense  and  funds  for  the  purpose  were  subscribed. 
Captain  Priest  made  great  efforts,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  was 
successful. 

An  adoption  of  by-laws  was  recommended  for  the  direction 
of  the  Association,  as  a  relief  to  the  officers,  and  to  prevent  the 
unwarranted  and  injudicious  use  of  the  name  of  the  Association. 
Events  often  occur  requiring  prompt  action,  the  death  of  members, 
etc.  Major  Cook  spoke  with  much  feeling  of  the  tragic  death  of 


REGIMENTAL    REUNIONS.  367 


Captain  Lawrence,  who  was  lost  on  the  City  of  Columbus,  and 
Brevet-Major  Hitchcock  gave  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life.  Resolu 
tions  were  adopted  in  honor  of  his  memory,  also  three  others 
whose  deaths  had  been  reported,  viz.  :  Capt.  John  AY.  Sanderson, 
Amos  A.  Dodge  and  Asa  D.  Burleigh,  the  latter  from  the  effects 
of  a  wound  received  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  He  was  a 
brave  soldier  of  Company  E,  a  genial  companion  and  an  upright 
man.  Flowers  were  contributed  for  the  tables  from  the  grounds 
of  Hon.  Stephen  Salisbury,  in  memory  of  the  late  Capt.  George  E. 
Barton.  There  was  also  a  large  basket  of  flowers  in  memory  of 
deceased  comrades  who  went  from  the  Universalist  Sunday  school. 

After  dinner  a  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  the  graves 
of  the  deceased  members  who  are  buried  in  Worcester  and  these 
flowers  were  placed  upon  them. 

Dr.  W.  V.  White  of  New  York  then  delivered  an  address  on 
the  "  Surgeon's  Report  of  Incidents  on  the  March  from  Alexan 
dria  to  Burke's  Station,  Ya.,"  relating  incidents  and  giving  sta 
tistics  of  battle  losses.  He  spoke  of  the  courage  required  of  men 
who  were  ordered  from  duty  in  the  rear  to  the  front  while  the  regi 
ment  was  in  front  of  Petersburg.  "Between  the  17th  and  30th 
of  June  it  was  considered  almost  a  sentence  of  death  to  be  sent 
to  the  front,  but  not  a  single  man  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  ever 
faltered." 

The  following  poem,  composed  by  Dr.  Charles  E.  Heath,  was 
then  read  by  him  :  - 

May  we  all  remember  that  time's  footsteps  fly 

Swiftly  ;  the  years  quickly  roll 

Far  into  the  past,  and  back  as  a  scroll 

They  fade  away  as  a  vision  of  the  night 

That  vanishes  ere  the  coming  of  light : 

For  ere  the  bright  sun  makes  the  glimmer  of  dawn, 

All  the  bright  visions  of  dreamland  are  gone. 

Then  let  us  be  doing  as  onward  we're  whirled, 
By  the  swift  rolling  years,  along  in  the  world  : 
May  we  remember,  and  take  earnest  heed, 
To  get  lots  of  fun  and  our  share  of  feed. 


368 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Then  came  an  address,  "  The  Day  We  Celebrate,"  by  Capt. 
Frederick  Cochrane  of  the  59th,  in  which  he  vividly  described  the 
preparations  for  and  the  charge  of  the  First  Brigade.  A  com 
mittee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  to  be 
reported  at  the  next  reunion.  Capt.  Frederick  Cochrane  was 
unanimously  elected  President  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  finally 
this,  one  of  the  most  interesting  reunions  since  the  organization 
was  established,  closed  by  all  joining  in  singing  "  Marching 
through  Georgia." 

The  Nineteenth  Annual  Reunion  wras  held  in  Temperance 
Hall,  Worcester,  June  17th,  1885.  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook, 
in  behalf  of  the  committee  that  had  been  appointed  to  draft 
constitution  and  by-laws,  reported  the  following  :  — 

PREAMBLE. 

To  preserve  the  associations,  attachments  and  memories  of  our 
army  life;  to  guard  with  jealous  pride  and  care  the  honor  and  glory  of 
our  regiment ;  to  strengthen  and  perpetuate  the  fraternal  ties  that  bind 
us  together ;  to  assist,  as  we  may  be  able,  such  of  our  comrades  as  are  in 
need ;  and  to  the  end  that  we  may  keep  in  the  minds  of  later  generations 
the  sacrifices  made  to  establish  and  perpetuate  the  principles  for  which 
'we  fought,  we,  the  surviving  members  of  the  57th  and  59th  Regiments 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  both  for  ourselves  and  in  tender  and  loving 
memory  of  our  deceased  comrades,  do  unite  ourselves  in  a  common 
organization  and  establish  the  following  rules  for  our  guidance  and 
government :  — 

CONSTITUTION. 
ARTICLE  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  57th  and  59th  Regiments 
Association. 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERS. 

Every  person  formerly  a  member,  in  whatever  capacity,  of  the  57th 
and  59th  Regiments  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  shall  be  eligible  to  mem 
bership  and  entitled  to  all  rights  and  privileges,  subject  only  to  such 
rules  as  may  be  hereafter  adopted. 

Honorary  membership  may  be  allowed,  but  only  on  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  all  members  present  at  a  regular  meeting ;  but  no  person 


JOSEPH    W.    HILL, 

Corp.  Co.  K,  57th  Mass. 


REGIMENTAL    REUNIONS.  369 

granted  an  honorary  membership  shall  be  allowed  to  vote  on  any  matter 
coming  before  the  business  meetings  of  the  Association,  nor  shall  they 
be  permitted  to  hold  any  of  the  offices  enumerated  in  the  succeeding 
article. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be  as  follows  :  a  President, 
four  Vice-Presidents,  Quartermaster,  Adjutant,  Sergeant-Major  and 
Finance  Committee  of  three;  and  these  officers,  in  a  corporate  capacity, 
shall  constitute  and  be  known  as  the  "  Board  of  Administration." 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OFFICERS,    HOW    SELECTED. 

The  President,  Vice-Presidents,  Quartermaster,  Sergeant-Major 
and  Finance  Committee,  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Association,  and  the  Adjutant  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President. 

ARTICLE  V. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

President.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Asso 
ciation  and  enforce  its  rules.  He  shall  approve  all  bills  before  payment, 
but  only  after  the  same  have  been  audited  and  properly  certified  by  the 
Finance  Committee. 

Vice-Presidents.  Either  of  the  Vice-Presidents  may  act  as  President 
in  the  absence  of  that  officer,  but  if  neither  of  them  are  present  the 
Association  may  elect  a  President  pro  tempore. 

Quartermaster.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Quartermaster  to  take 
charge  of  the  funds  of  the  Association,  and  his  honor  as  a  man  and  a 
soldier  shall  be  a  sufficient  bond  for  his  faithful  performance  of  duty. 
He  shall  receive  all  moneys  from  whatever  source  and  shall  disburse  the 
same,  but  only  on  vouchers  properly  certified  to  have  been  audited  by 
the  Finance  Committee  and  approved  by  the  President.  He  shall  keep, 
in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  an  itemized  record  of  all  moneys 
received  and  disbursed,  and  shall  make  report  of  the  same  at  each  annual 
meeting  of  the  Association.  On  the  election  of  his  successor  in  office, 
he  shall  turn  over  to  him  all  books  and  papers  in  his  possession  belong 
ing  to  the  Association. 

Adjutant.  The  Adjutant  shall  have  charge  of  the  correspondence 
of  the  Association,  and  be  at  times  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  Presi 
dent.  He  shall  keep,  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  the  names 
and  post-office  addresses  of  all  members  of  the  Association,  which  list 
he  shall  keep  as  full  and  correct  as  possible.  He  shall  keep,  in  a  book 
provided  for  that  purpose,  a  copy  of  all  communications  forwarded,  and 


370  tflFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.     VOLUNTEERS. 

a  file  book  in  •which  shall  be  preserved  all  communications  received,  and 
upon  the  appointment  of  his  successor  in  office,  shall  turn  over  to  him 
all  books  and  papers  in  his  possession  belonging  to  the  Association. 

Sergeant-Major.  The  Sergeant-Major  shall  have  charge  of  the  rec 
ords  of  the  Association.  He  shall  be  present  at  each  business  meeting, 
and  carefully  record  all  its  transactions.  He  shall  keep  a  book  provided 
for  that  purpose,  in  which  shall  be  carefully  and  legibly  written  the  con 
stitution  and  rules  of  the  Association,  and  to  which  such  rules,  as  may 
be  subsequently  adopted,  shall  be  added.  He  shall  also  keep  a  book  pro 
vided  for  that  purpose,  in  which  shall  be  carefully  written  a  record  of 
the  transactions  of  each  meeting,  the  same  to  be  read,  corrected,  ac 
cepted  and  approved  at  the  next  subsequent  meeting,  and  on  the  election 
of  his  successor  in  office,  shall  turn  over  to  him  all  books  and  papers  in 
his  possession  belonging  to  the  Association. 

Finance  Committee.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Finance  Committee 
to  levy  and  collect  all  assessments  made  npon  members  and  turn  the 
same  into  the  hands  of  the  Quartermaster.  It  shall  also  audit  all  bills, 
before  the  same  are  approved  by  the  President  or  paid. 

Board  of  Administration.  The  Board  of  Administration  shall  have 
general  charge  of  the  business  affairs  of  the  Association  and  three  of  its 
members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  The 
President  shall  be  chairman  and  the  Adjutant  secretary  of  the  board.  It 
may  determine  the  time  and  place  of  the  annual  meetings  (when  the 
same  shall  not  have  been  specified  by  the  Association)  and  may  provide 
such  entertainments  as  may  be  necessary  or  desirable  on  such  occasions. 
It  shall  have  power  to  take  official  notice  of  the  death  or  misfortune  of 
any  comrade,  and  is  authorized  to  act  for  the  Association  in  such  emer 
gency  according  to  its  judgment,  but  nothing  herein  contained  shall  be 
construed  as  allowing  it  to  commit  the  Association,  or  use  its  name  in 
any  business  or  political  enterprise. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

MEETINGS. 

The  meetings  of  the  Association  shall  be  held  annually. 
ARTICLE  VII. 

CONSTITUTIONAL    AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  shall  not  be  altered  or  amended,  except  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  all  present  at  a  regular  meeting,  and  shall  not  be  acted  on 
at  any  regular  meeting  unless  a  written  notice,  specifying  the  proposed 
amendment,  has  been  given  at  the  regular  meeting  immediately  preceding. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  the  foregoing- 
constitution  adopted. 


REGIMENTAL   REUNIONS.  O  t  I 

Frank  W.  Bullard  was  elected  President  for  the  ensuing 
year.  Comrade  E.  P.  Gould  delivered  an  address  on  "The 
Battle  of  the  Wilderness."  The  Association  then  adjourned  to 
meet  again  in  Worcester,  June  17th,  1886.  The  record  does  not 
show  that  any  deaths  were  reported. 

The  Twentieth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Worcester,  June 
17th,  1886.  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook  presented  a  design  for  a 
regimental  badge  and  submitted  a  sample  which  was  adopted. 
It  consists  of  a  black  and  blue  enamel  knapsack,  with  gold 
trimmings,  the  number  of  the  regiment  in  the  centre  and  a  Ninth 
Army  Corps  badge  attached  to  a  red  ribbon,  the  color  of  the  First 
Division  of  the  corps.  H.  F.  Chandler  of  Lawrence  was  chosen 
President.  The  deaths  of  comrades  Isaac  A.  Woodcock  of 
Worcester  and  Charles  Timon  of  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  botli  of  the 
Fifty- Seventh,  were  reported,  and  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted  :  — 

WHEREAS,  It  has  pleased  our  Heavenly  Father  to  remove  from  our 
ranks  below  into  the  grand  army  above,  our  comrades  Charles  Timon 
and  Isaac  A.  Woodcock, 

Resolved,  That  we  recognize  them  as  faithful  soldiers,  true  to  their 
country,  and  that  we  extend  to  the  families  of  the  deceased  our  sym 
pathy  in  their  hour  of  bereavement. 

After  voting  to  hold  the  next  reunion  on  the  battlefield  of 
Petersburg,  Va.,  the  Association  adjourned. 

The  Twenty-first  Annual  Reunion  was  held  at  the  Albemarle 
Hotel,  Petersburg,  Va.,  May  6th,  1887. 

At  the  business  meeting  Bvt.-Capt.  Charles  H.  Pinkham  of 
Worcester  was  re-elected  President. 

This  reunion  was  a  new  departure  from  any  of  the  previous 
ones.  It  had  been  arranged  for  an  excursion  to  the  old  battle 
fields  of  Virginia.  The  excursion  was  riot  confined  to  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts  alone,  but  the  other  regiments  from  this 
State  that  participated  in  the  battles  in  Virginia  were  invited  to 
join.  The  party  was  made  up  of  about  one  hundred  veterans. 
Proceeding  first  to  Petersburg,  they  visited  places  made  historical 
by  their  association  with  the  long  siege  and  bloody  battles  fought 


372 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


in  that  vicinity.  The  battlefields  of  Cold  Harbor,  Spottsylvania 
Court  House,  Wilderness,  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville 
were  visited,  as  well  as  Libby  Prison  and  points  of  interest 
around  Richmond.  The  party  returned  by  way  of  Washington, 
Baltimore  and  Fortress  Monroe,  making  short  stops  at  each 
place. 

The  National  Cemetery  at  Arlington  was  one  of  the  places 
visited.  At  Fortress  Monroe,  Col.  John  C.  Tidball,  U.S.  Army, 
the  officer  in  command,  extended  every  courtesy  to  the  visitors. 
The  itinerary  covered  several  days  and  was  enjoyed  by  all,  not 
only  as  one  of  pleasure,  but  as  a  means  of  bringing  together,  in 
friendly  relations,  those  who  fought  on  opposite  sides.  Space 
will  not  permit  a  detailed  account,  although  the  significant 
features  of  it  would  make  an  interesting  volume,  the  most 
remarkable  being  the  reception  and  cordial  greeting  given  to  the 
"  Yankees  "  by  the  "  Johnnie  Rebs."  Those  who  had  once  been 
deadly  enemies,  met  again  face  to  face  upon  the  old  historic 
battle-grounds,  and  recounted  incidents  and  adventures  with  a 
genuine  feeling  of  fraternal  love,  not  by  descendants,  but  by 
those  who  had  been  actual  participants,  and  struggled,  through 
fields  of  blood,  for  the  mastery. 

Seldom  in  the  world's  history  has  such  a  scene  been  wit 
nessed.  When  the  two  armies  were  grappling  in  a  death  struggle 
along  down  between  Washington  and  Richmond,  could  the  veil 
that  hides  the  future  have  been  removed  and  this  picture  presented 
to  view,  there  would  have  been  a  sudden  transformation  from 
ghastly  battlefields  to  the  pleasant  paths  of  peace.  We  briefly 
notice  a  few  incidents. 

One  of  the  Petersburg  papers  of  May  3d,  1887,  publishes  the 
following  in  its  columns : 

"Once  again  is  Petersburg  captured  by  a  northern  host. 
This  time,  however,  she  opposes  no  resistance,  but  surrenders 
unconditionally  to  '  our  friends,  the  enemy.'  The  Massachusetts 
veterans,  who  arrived  last  evening,  came  in  light  marching  order, 
but  we  shall  be  much  surprised,  if  when  they  come  to  leave,  they 
will  not  find  themselves  weighted  down  with  chains :  the  chains 
of  fraternal  friendship ;  each  link  of  which  is  forged  out  of  the 


REGIMENTAL    REUNIONS. 


373 


warm  regard  that  the  honest  '  Reb  '  feels  for  the  honest  '  Yank.' 
We  bid  our  Massachusetts  friends  most  hearty  welcome  to  the 
old  Cockade  City." 

The  Union  Veterans  were  met  at  the  railroad  depot  by  the 
Petersburg  Artillery,  the  Petersburg  Grays  and  a  number  of 
Confederate  veterans.  A  salute  of  twenty-four  guns  was  fired  in 
honor  of  the  visitors,  who  were  then  escorted  by  the  military,  not 
to  Libby  or  Belle  Isle,  but  to  the  Albermarle  Hotel,  where  a 
sumptuous  repast  was  awaiting  them,  viands  that  would  have 
made  the  hungry  Confederate  mouths  water  in  that  memorable 
winter  of  1865. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  hotel,  an  address  of  welcome  was  deliv 
ered  by  Gen.  Stith  Boiling,  which  is  not  only  worthy  a  place  in 
this  history,  but  the  loyal  sentiment  expressed  is  as  worthy  of 
lasting  memory  as  any  ever  uttered  by  a  patriotic  American.  He 
spoke  briefly  as  follows  :  — 

"  Major  Cook  and  visitors  from  Massachusetts:  On  behalf 
of  the  ex-Confederate  soldiers  of  Petersburg,  and  as  citizens  of  a 
common  country,  I  am  glad  to  greet  your  presence,  veterans  of 
the  Union  army,  and  welcome  you  to  our  midst,  with  assurances 
of  admiration  for  the  value  of  the  arms  you  bore,  and  the  sincerity 
with  which  we  respect  and  bear  honest  allegiance  to  a  restored 
Union.  The  scenes  of  strife  which  you  come  to  renew,  remind 
us  of  the  sad  yet  glorious  history  which  is  the  heritage  of  the  Blue 
and  the  Gray.  The  camp-fires  burn  no  more  ;  opposing  flags  are 
there  no  longer  to  define  the  lines  of  hostile  armies.  The  flag  of 
the  Union  and  of  our  fathers  is  the  flag  of  all,  forever  to  wave 
over  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave. 

' '  Proud  as  are  the  memories  which  honorably  belong  to  either 
side  of  the  unhappy  struggle,  the  heroism  and  courage  of  the 
American  citizen,  all  are  now  blended  in  one  common  history  of  a 
reconciled  people  under  one  flag  of  an*  indissoluble  Union.  As 
brother  Americans,  proud  of  the  growth,  prosperity  and  prowess 
of  the  American  nation  and  true  to  its  hopes  and  to  its  destiny, 
we  greet  and  welcome  you  to  Petersburg." 

Major  Cook  responded  as  follows:  "General  Boiling,  and 
•Johnnies,'  and  citizens  of  Petersburg:  While  we  did  not  come 


374 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


here  to  make  speeches,  but  rather  to  see  sad  scenes  made  holy  by 
the  blood  of  comrades,  I  would  be  poor,  indeed,  in  language  if  I 
did  not  find  words  to  express  the  gratitude  we  feel  for  this  kind 
and  hospitable  reception.  We  came  here  twenty-three  years  ago 
and  met  with  a  warm  reception  from  shot  and  shell,  and  now  it 
looks  as  if  you  would  kill  us  with  your  kindness.  I  know  I  but 
echo  the  feelings  of  every  one  when  I  say  we  feel  deeply  gratified 
for  this  flattery  and  kind  reception." 

At  the  conclusion  of  Major  Cook's  remarks,  three  rousing 
cheers  were  given  for  the  Bostonians,  who  returned  the  compli 
ment  by  three  hearty  cheers  for  the  "  Johnnies." 

How  often  do  we  see  the  familiar  quotation  from  Milton 
demonstrated  :  — 

"  Peace  hath  her  victories, 
No  less  renowned  than  war." 

The  remembrance  of  this  trip  to  Petersburg  will  ever  be 
remembered  with  pleasure  b}^  the  recipients  of  generous  South 
ern  hospitality.  The  morning  following  the  arrival  in  Petersburg, 
a  visit  was  made  to  the  old  trenches  and  lines  of  fortifications, 
now  partially  levelled,  and  in  some  places  overgrown  by  trees. 
in  others  under  cultivated  fields,  or  smiling  with  flowers  that 
shed  a  fragrance  speaking  of  peace  and  good- will.  The  gal 
lant  General  Mahone,  of  Confederate  fame,  accompanied  the 
party.  At  the  crater,  made  memorable  by  the  disastrous  battle 
of  July  30th,  1864,  he  made  an  address  descriptive  of  it  as  seen 
from  the  Confederate  side ;  he  was  present  and  took  an  active 
part.  He  said  :  — 

u  I  at  once  estimated  that  you  must  have  at  least  three  thou 
sand  men  there.  I  was  coming  up  with  two  brigades  of  about 
one  thousand.  At  first  I  took  it  that  }TOU  were  coming 
across  the  heights  of  Petersburg,  and  it  appeared  that  if  you 
did  it  was  the  end  of  this  unpleasantness,  for  we  could  not  have 
gotten  away.  I  felt  we  were  '  gone  up.'  We  could  not  have  got 
ten  off  a  piece  of  artillery,  and  the  infantry  could  only  have 
scampered  back.  Yes,  I  was  much  concerned,  for  I  thought 
\ve  were  'gone  up.'  I  dared  not  leave  this  hill,  for  I  was  sure 
you  would  pick  me  off.  After  a  time,  your  lines  moved  forward 


REGIMENTAL   REUNIONS. 


375 


irregularly.  I  then  had  the  Virginia  brigade  in  line,  and  they 
advanced. 

"  The  Georgia  brigade  was  also  in  position.  We  met  and 
went  forward  '  pell  mell '  and  broke  the  lines  at  the  crater.  The 
Georgia  brigade  tried  to  take  about  fifty  feet  of  the  lines  which 
you  held  on  the  left,  but  could  not.  Later  on,  an  Alabama  brig 
ade  took  that  line.  After  that  came  the  white  flag  from  the  pit  of 
the  crater  and  we  took  one  thousand  and  one  Federal  prisoners. 
Among  them  was  Gen.  William  F.  Bartlett,  who  went  into  the 
war  as  Colonel  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and 
after  the  war  engaged  in  the  iron  business  in  Richmond,  Va. 

"  Later  on  came  the  flag  of  truce,  and  then  both  sides  came 
on  the  ground  between  the  two  lines  and  buried  the  dead.  During 
this  flag  of  truce  word  came  to  me  from  a  surgeon  of  some  Yankee 
regiment,  that  he  would  send  me  a  bottle  of  whiskey  if  I  would  like 
it.  Of  course,  I  said  *  Yes,'  and  the  doctor  went  back.  Whether 
he  was  too  slow  or  the  time  of  truce  expired,  I  do  not  know.  I 
did  not  get  that  whiskey.  I  have  not  seen  the  doctor  since,  but 
some  of  your  men  owe  me  that  bottle  of  whiskey." 

Dr.  Whitman  V.  White,  the  former  surgeon  of  the  Fifty - 
Seveuth  Massachusetts,  was  present  and  acknowledged  that  he 
was  the  one  who  met  General  Mahone  and  promised  him  the  bot 
tle  of  whiskey,  but  said  that  the  flag  of  truce  was  too  quick  for 
him.  The  record  does  not  show  whether  the  doctor  ever  fulfilled 
his  promise.  He  soon  left  with  General  Mahone  and  dined  with 
him.  The  others  were  also  banqueted  at  the  General's  residence. 

The  party  also  received  a  cordial  welcome  and  were  hospita 
bly  entertained  by  the  citizens  and  ex-Confederate  soldiers  at 
Spottsylvauia  Court  House  and  Fredericksburg. 

The  veterans  finally  returned  to  Boston  with  a  warm  feeling 
for  the  Southern  soldier  and  a  high  appreciation  of  Southern  hospi 
tality  which  they  would  like  to  reciprocate  in  the  same  fraternal 
spirit.  As  we  strove  for  victory  over  them  in  the  hour  of  battle, 
so  would  we  now  strive  to  equal,  or,  if  possible,  excel  them  in 
hospitality  and  brotherly  love. 

The  Twenty-Second  Annual  Reunion  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
was  held  in  Temperance  Hall,  Worcester,  June  18th,  1888.  At 
the  business  meeting  Bvt.-Capt.  Charles  H.  Pinkham  of  the  Fifty- 


376 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


Seventh  was  again  re-elected  President.  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H. 
Cook  presented  the  sons  of  Gen.  William  F.  Bartlett,  who 
were  admitted  to  honorary  membership,  also  Charles  Bullard. 

Two  resolutions  were  offered  to  be  acted  upon  at  the  next 
annual  reunion.  Letters  were  read  from  absent  members.  A 
report  was  made  by  the  badge  committee.  After  dinner  several 
short  speeches  were  made  with  pleasant  references  to  the  Virginia 
trip  of  the  previous  year.  The  Association  adjourned  to  meet 
again  in  the  city  of  Worcester  at  the  call  of  the  committee. 

The  Twenty-Third  Annual  Reunion  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  was 
held  in  Temperance  Hall,  Worcester,  June  26th,  1889.  An 
amendment  to  the  constitution,  which  was  offered  by  Bvt.-Maj. 
John  H.  Cook  at  the  reunion  of  1888,  changing  the  name  from 
the  "  57th  and  59th"  to  the  "  Fifty-Seventh  Regimental  Associa 
tion,"  was  adopted. 

The  two  regiments  were  consolidated  a  short  time  before 
the  close  of  the  war,  hence  the  Association  was  of  short  dura 
tion  and  not  as  closely  allied  as  the  comradeship  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh.  The  attendance  of  the  59th  members  had  been  falling 
off  year  by  year,  and  they  seemed  to  lack  that  esprit  de  corps 
which  always  distinguished  those  of  the  Fifty- Seventh.  This  gave 
occasion  for  the  adoption  of  the  amendment  to  the  constitution. 
The  59th  lost  its  identity  as  an  organization  at  the  time  of 
consolidation. 

A  resolution  wras  also  adopted  providing  that  all  members  of 
the  59th  Massachusetts  would  be  welcomed  cordially  at  all  future 
reunions.  Upon  the  election  of  officers  Rev.  A.  H.  Dashiell  was 
chosen  President  for  the  ensuing  year.  Many  letters  were  read 
from  absent  members. 

The  Twenty-Fourth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Sons  of 
Veterans  Hall,  Worcester,  June  17th,  1890.  The  usual  reports 
of  deaths  and  other  matters  of  interest  to  the  Association  were 
made  and  received  proper  consideration.  Nothing  of  unusual 
interest  took  place.  The  affair  was  a  pleasant  renewal  of  old 
associations,  reminiscences,  etc.  Comrade  E.  D.  McFarland  was 
chosen  President. 

The  Twenty-Fifth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Fitchburg, 
Mass.,  June  17th,  1891.  Letters  were  read  in  relation  to  a  joint 


REGIMENTAL    REUNIONS.  O  /  i 

reunion  of  the  four  veteran  regiments,  56th,  57th,  58th  and 
59th.  After  a  discussion  of  the  matter  it  was  referred  to  a  com 
mittee  appointed  for  that  purpose.  Resolutions  of  sympathy 
were  adopted  for  Chaplain  A.  H.  Dashiell  in  domestic  affliction. 

An  excellent  dinner  was  provided  by  the  ladies  of  E.  V. 
Sunnier  Relief  Corps.  Fitchburg  hospitality  was  extended  with 
the  liberality  for  which  that  city  is  justly  noted,  and  the  veterans 
were  received  with  a  most  cordial  welcome.  After  dinner  inter 
esting  addresses  were  delivered  by  General  Kimball  and  others. 
E  D.  McFarland  was  re-elected  President. 

The  Twenty- Sixth  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Sons  of 
'^eteraus  Hall,  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  17th,  LSI) 2.  At  the 
business  meeting  the  committee  appointed  to  act  upon  the  matter 
of  a  joint  reunion  of  the  four  veteran  regiments,  reported  that 
nothing  had  been  accomplished  toward  this  end. 

The  following  named  Sons  of  Veterans  were  admitted  to 
honorary  membership,  viz.  :  W.  D.  Thompson,  Frank  Hare, 
J.  Elmer  Hall  and  the  son  of  Comrade  Barnes.  Letters  were  read 
from  absent  members  and  regrets  expressed  at  the  serious  illness 
reported  of  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook. 

Brief  addresses  were  delivered  by  Gen.  A.  B.  R.  Sprague, 
General  Pickett,  Maj.  E.  T.  Raymond  and  others.  Comrade 
Barnes  read  a  description  of  the  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va., 
June  17th,  1864,  and  "  Homeward  Bound."  Dr.  A.  O.  Hitchcock 
of  Fitchburg  was  elected  President.  After  short  and  amusing 
stories  and  vocal  music,  the  Association  adjourned  to  meet  again 
at  the  call  of  the  officers. 

The  Twenty-Seventh  Annual  Reunion  was  held  in  Fitchburg, 
Mass.,  June  17th,  1893.  The  death  of  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook 
was  reported.  Lieut.  George  E.  Priest  read  a  very  touching 
and  tender  tribute  to  his  memory.  No  death  of  any  member  of 
the  Association  ever  sank  deeper  into  the  hearts  of  the  comrades 
than  this.  None  more  deeply  mourned  and  none  whose  loss 
would  have  fallen  heavier  upon  the  Association.  From  its 
organization,  he  had  taken  a  great  interest  in  the  annual  re 
unions  and  labored  indefatigably  to  make  them  interesting  and 
attractive,  and  to  preserve  a  feeling  of  harmony  among  the  mem 
bers.  It  was  largely  due  to  his  personal  efforts  that  the  excur- 


378  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

sion  to  the  battlefields  of  Virginia  was  made  successfully.  Res 
olutions  expressive  of  sympathy  were  adopted  and  sent  to  his 
bereaved  and  heartstricken  widow,  who  wrote  the  following  brief 
acknowledgment:  "I  should  be  lacking  in  gratitude,  should  I 
fail  to  thank  you  for  the  beautiful  tribute  sent  my  beloved  husband 
and  your  comrade.  Let  these  few  words  express  my  deepest 
appreciation  of  the  kindness." 

The  death  was  also  reported  of  Bvt.-Capt.  James  H.  Marshall 
and  the  following  resolution  adopted  :  — 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Comrade  Marshall,  the  Association 
has  lost  one  of  its  most  cherished  and  valuable  members.  Serving 
through  all  the  battles  of  the  war,  he  was  conspicuous  for  his  courage 
and  gallantry.  After  his  return  to  civil  life,  he  completed  his  college 
course  which  he  had  intermitted  for  the  purpose  of  going  to  the  war. 
He  maintained  a  highly  honorable  career,  being  private  secretary  to 
Senator  Dawes,  and  died  in  Washington,  D.C. 

Addresses  were  made  by  Chaplain  Dashiell,  Surgeon  W.  V. 
White,  Comrade  Pinkham  and  others,  eulogistic  of  Major  Cook 
and  Captain  Marshall.  The  deaths  of  other  comrades  were 
reported  which  will  be  noticed  in  a  following  chapter. 

George  W.  Marsh,  son  of  Jeremiah  Marsh  who  was  killed 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  was  elected  an  honorary  member 
of  the  Association.  The  usual  routine  of  business  was  transacted 
and  Comrade  W.  H.  Whipple  was  elected  President. 

Dinner  was  served  by  E.  V.  Sumner  Corps  of  the  W.R.C..  the 
ladies  of  which  graced  the  occasion  by  their  presence,  and  lent 
a  new  charm  to  the  happy  reunion.  They  received  the  hearty 
and  unanimous  thanks  of  the  Association.  An  adjournment  was 
taken  at  3.15  P.M.  to  meet  again  at  the  call  of  the  officers. 

The  Twenty- Eighth  Annual  Reunion  of  the  Association  was 
held  in  Sons  of  Veterans  Hall,  Worcester,  June  19th,  1894. 

At  this  reunion  Comrade  J.  Brainerd  Hall  appeared  with  the 
National  flag,  that  was  presented  to  the  regiment  by  the  ladies  of 
Worcester,  upon  its  departure  for  the  field  in  April,  18G4.  At  the 
business  meeting  it  was  voted  to  make  all  sons  of  veterans  of  the 
regiment  honorary  members.  Comrade  Priest  announced  that  a 
college  in  North  Carolina  had  conferred  the  honorary  degree  of 
D.D.  upon  Chaplain  A.  H.  Dashiell.  The  latter  was  tendered 
the  congratulations  of  the  Association  by  a  rising  vote.  A  com- 


REGIMENTAL  REUNIONS.  379 

mittee  on  resolutions  for  the  dead  was  appointed  which  submitted 
the  following :  — 

The  Association  having  heard  the  report  of  the  death  of  our  com 
rades  who  have  passed  away  since  our  last  annual  reunion,  and  having 
entered  their  names  on  the  roll  of  our  honored  dead,  do  likewise  express 
our  sorrow  that  the  comrades  will  no  longer  enjoy  their  fellowship  in 
our  reunions,  and  that  their  places  in  their  homes  are  made  vacant. 

Resolved,  That  the  sympathy  of  the  Association  be  conveyed  to  their 
several  families  and  circle  of  friends  with  assurances  of  our  sense  of 
their  loss  to  them  and  to  us. 

Chaplain  Dashiell,  who  had  been  engaged  in  preparing  a 
history  of  the  regiment,  read  what  he  had  written  and  stated  the 
many  difficulties  he  had  encountered  in  preparing  the  work,  such 
as  ill  health  and  the  distance  which  he  lived  from  the  State ;  and 
asked  that  he  might  be  relieved  from  a  further  prosecution  of  the 
work,  offering  to  contribute  what  he  had  already  written  and  to 
assist,  as  far  as  he  was  able,  anyone  who  should  undertake  it. 
His  request  was  approved,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  con 
sisting  of  Capt.  John  Anderson,  Bvt.-Capt.  C.  H.  Pinkham, 
Chaplain  A.  H.  Dashiell,  Lieut.  George  E.  Priest  and  Comrade 
J.  Brainerd  Hall.  The  committee  placed  the  work  in  the  hands  of 
Capt.  John  Anderson,  who  accepted  the  duty  under  the  conditions 
of  an  act  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  to  encourage  the  writ 
ing  of  regimental  histories. 

After  dinner  the  comrades  enjoyed  recalling  old  times  and 
associations,  stories  and  short  speeches.  Comrade  W.  H.  AVhipple 
was  re-elected  President. 

The  Twenty-Ninth  Annual  Reunion  of  the  Fifty-Seventh 
Regimental  Association  was  held  at  Lake  Quinsigamond,  Worces 
ter,  Mass.,  June  17th,  1895. 

There  was  a  very  good  attendance,  many  coming  from  con 
siderable  distance,  and  the  reunion  was  made  of  unusual  interest 
and  pleasure,  and  all  felt  that  the  time  passed  too  quickly. 
Again  the  occasion  was  graced  by  the  presence  of  man}7  ladies, 
wives  and  daughters  of  comrades,  and  also  sons  of  comrades. 

The  following  deaths  were  reported,  viz.  :  Comrades  E.  A. 
Bartlett,  C.  Harley  and  A.  S.  Allen,  and  the  following  resolution 
adopted  in  respect  to  their  memory :  — 


380 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


Resolved,  That  we  record  our  sense  of  their  loss  to  their  families 
and  their  comrades,  and  desire  to  convey  our  sympathy  to  their  friends 
and  our  sincere  prayers  that  they  may  be  comforted  and  sustained  in 
their  bereavement. 

Remarks  were  made  by  Surgeon  White,  Comrade  J.  B.  Hall 
and  others,  in  regard  to  publishing  the  history  of  the  regiment. 
All  present  seemed  deeply  interested  in  the  progress  of  the  work 
and  anxious  for  its  publication  at  an  early  day.  We  reported 
progress,  which  was  received  with  satisfaction. 

After  a  dinner  of  baked  clams,  several  stirring  and  patriotic 
addresses  were  made ;  one  of  eloquence  by  Hon.  A.  S.  Roe  of 
Worcester,  and  one  of  impressive  interest  by  the  retiring  Presi 
dent,  W.  H.  Whipple,  in  which  he  spoke  with  great  warmth  of 
past  scenes,  and  paid  an  appropriate  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
our  departed  comrades ;  those  who  have  fallen  in  battle  and 
others  who  have  died  since  the  close  of  the  war.  His  words 
reached  the  hearts  of  all  his  hearers. 

Captain  Dashiell  also  touched  a  chord  in  harmony  with  the 
sentiment  of  the  occasion. 

Capt.  John  Anderson  of  the  U.S.  Army  was  chosen  Presi 
dent  for  the  ensuing  year  and  it  was  voted  to  hold  the  next 
annual  reunion  in  Worcester,  June  17th,  1896. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 


IN    MEMORIAM. 

How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blest? 
When  spring,  with  dewy  fingers  cold, 
Returns  to  deck  their  hallowed  mold, 
She  there  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Than  fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod. 

By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung, 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung ; 
There  honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray, 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay 
And  freedom  shall  awhile  repair 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there." 


INGE    the    final    muster-out    and    disbandment   of  the 
regiment  many  of  our  comrades  have  received  their 
discharge   from  the  cares  and  duties  of  this  life  and 
have  marched  on   to   join   the   great  majority.      The 
sad,  sweet  notes  of  the  bugle  sounding  taps  frequently 
tell  us  that  the  light  of  another  life  has  disappeared   from 
mortal    vision,   and    that  we,   too,   are  marching  silently 
and  swiftly  on  towards  the  bivouac  of  the  dead. 

Among  the  first  that  were  laid  to  rest  was  Lieut. -Col.  J.  M. 
Tucker,  who  died  on  the  22d  of  June,  1866,  in  Boston,  Mass. 
Colonel  Tucker's  record  was  an  honorable  one.  He  first  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  the  25th  Massachusetts  and  served  as  such  until 
the  16th  of  September,  1861,  when  he  was  discharged  and  com 
missioned  2d  lieutenant  in  the  36th  Massachusetts,  from  which 
regiment  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health,  on  the  29th  of 
July,  1863.  The  struggle  still  continued  and  when  the  call  came 


382 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


iii  the  autumn  of  1863  for  more  troops,  young  Tucker  again 
responded  and  raised  a  company  of  one  hundred  young  men  in 
the  city  of  Worcester,  of  which  he  was  commissioned  captain, 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  the  third  company 
of  the  regiment,  taking  the  letter  H.  He  was  promoted  to  major 
June  14th,  and  lieutenant-colonel  June  15th,  1864.  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  appointed  colonel  by  brevet  for  gallant 
and  meritorious  conduct  in  action.  He  never  fully  recovered 
from  the  severe  wround  received  in  the  battle  of  Petersburg,  June 
17th,  1864,  which  greatly  impaired  his  articulation.  After  having 
been  mustered  out  with  his  regiment,  he  was  appointed  inspector 
in  the  Boston  Custom  House,  which  position  he  filled  with  fidelity 
and  honor.  He  contracted  a  severe  cold  w^hile  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties  inspecting  the  cargo  of  a  steamship  in  East  Boston, 
which  resulted  in  his  death  in  the  26th  year  of  his  age. 

His  funeral  was  conducted  with  military  honors  and  attended 
by  a  large  number  of  his  former  comrades  and  friends. 

Capt.  John  L.  Goodwin  died  Nov.  22d,  1867,  in  the  27th 
year  of  his  age,  from  the  effects  of  wounds  received  and  disease 
contracted  in  the  service  of  his  country. 

We  have  heretofore  made  brief  mention  of  Captain  Good 
win's  honorable  and  gallant  service.  He  first  enlisted  in  1861  in 
the  25th  Massachusetts  and  served  about  two  years.  He  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  organization  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  and  assisted 
Colonel  Tucker  in  raising  Company  H,  and  was  commissioned  1st 
lieutenant  to  date  from  Jan.  6th,  1864,  subsequently  promoted  to 
captain,  but  never  mustered  as  such,  owing  to  the  fact  that  he 
was  absent  from  the  regiment  wounded. 

He  was  wounded  in  the  Wilderness  and  again  in  front  of 
Petersburg.  Previous  to  the  war  he  was  connected  with  the 
Sunday  school  of  the  Universalist  church  in  Worcester,  and  is 
borne  on  the  roll  of  honor  as  one  of  the  many  young  men  of  his 
class  who  responded  to  their  country's  call  in  the  hour  of  greatest 
danger,  and  laid  down  their  lives  in  its  defense. 

The  funeral  was  held  in  the  Universalist  church  and  was 
attended  by  a  large  number  of  relatives,  friends,  old  army  com- 


IN    MEMORIAM. 


383 


rades  and  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  also 
Post  No.  10,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Bowles,  after 
which  the  procession  was  formed  and  inarched  to  Hope  Cemetery, 
where  the  remains  were  placed  at  rest.  His  name  added  another 
to  the  long  list  which  will  always  stand  in  honor  of  Worcester's 
patriotic  sons. 

His  was  the  great  privilege  of  seeing  the  war  close  with  the 
Union  army  victorious,  and  to  welcome  the  return  of  his  surviv 
ing  comrades,  who  were  soon  called  upon  to  mourn  his  untimely 
death.  Respected  and  loved  by  those  who  will  always  cherish  a 
tender  recollection  of  his  memory,  he  has  crossed  the  dark  and 
silent  river  to  his  eternal  home  beyond. 

In  pausing  to  mention  those  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  who  have 
died  since  the  war,  we  are  overwhelmed  with  meritorious  names 
of  men  who  deserve  more  than  we  can  say  of  them.  In  the 
great  battle  strife  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union  there  were 
many  brave  deeds  never  noticed,  many  a  heroic  name  around 
which  we  could  entwine  the  laurel  wreath  of  immortal  song  and 
poetry  and  yet  fail  to  d'o  them  justice ;  but  comparatively  few 
w^ere  observed. 

The  private  soldier  deserved  as  much  credit  as  the  officer, 
but  was  less  likely  to  be  noticed.  The  enlisted  men  were 
remarkable  for  their  submission  to  discipline,  their  spirit  of 
loyalty,  the  fearlessness  manifested  upon  the  field  of  battle,  a 
faithful  performance  of  duty  and  the  spirit  of  self-sacrifice,  by 
which  thousands  laid  down  their  lives  for  the  sake  of  their 
country.  While  such  men  have  lived  and  died  and  passed 
apparently  unnoticed,  yet  their  brave  and  noble  deeds  helped  to 
save  the  nation's  life,  and,  as  time  rolls  on,  generations  yet 
unborn  will  live  to  honor  their  memory. 

With  the  lack  of  knowledge  of  many  things  and  many  names 
worthy  of  mention,  and  with  the  lack  of  time  and  space,  we  are 
obliged  to  omit  much  that  would  honor  and  adorn  these  pages. 

We  have  the  name  of  James  H.  Holland,  formerly  a  private 
of  Company  B,  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  wrho  died  Feb.  llth, 


384 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


1875,  after  long  months  of  suffering  from  wounds  and  disease 
incident  to  his  army  life.  His  broken  health  blighted  all  his 
prospects  in  this  life  and  he  could  only  patiently  wait  the  inevi 
table  result. 

There  is  one  name  of  all  those  who  belonged  to  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  that  stands  one  of  the  most  prominent  among  the  noble 
sons  of  Massachusetts,  and  which  deserves  a  mention  beyond  the 
power  of  language  :  that  of  Bvt.-Maj.-Gen.  William  F.  Bartlett. 
This  work  would  lack  much  of  completion  without  it.  In  previous 
chapters  we  have  made  brief  mention  of  his  career ;  it  now  only 
remains  to  speak,  not  only  of  his  death,  but  his  departure  from 
this  to  that  higher  and  nobler  life  beyond. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1876,  after  bidding  an  affectionate 
farewell  to  his  family  and  nearest  friends  around  him,  he 
passed  peacefully  away  to  "that  bourne  from  whence  no  traveler 
returns." 

Eulogies  were  written  in  honor  of  his  memory  in  nearly  all 
the  papers  in  the  State,  eulogies  full  of  eloquence  and  pathos ; 
but  as  his  life  was  so  closely  associated  with  that  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  we  will  only  quote  extracts  from  a  loving  tribute  to  his 
memory  by  one  of  our  comrades,  Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook,  who 
has  since  passed  on  to  join  his  beloved  commander.  Knowing 
Major  Cook  quite  intimately  for  years,  we  know  that  every 
word  and  sentence  he  uttered  came  from  a  true  and  devoted  heart. 
He  said  at  the  reunion  of  the  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts,  July 
31st,  1877:  "The  results  of  his  various  wounds,  taken  in  con 
junction  with  the  exposures  of  camp  and  the  hardships  of  prison 
life,  were  too  plainly  visible,  for  it  was  painfully  evident  that  it 
would  not  be  long  before  his  life  would  be  as  truly  offered,  a 
sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  his  country,  as  if  he  had  laid  it  down 
amid  the  smoke  and  turmoil  of  battle. 

"  After  his  return  from  Europe  up  to  the  period  of  his  death, 
his  time  was  spent  with  his  family  in  Pittsfield.  He  had  long 
realized  that  he  could  not  stem  the  tide  of  failing  health,  and 
that,  sooner  or  later,  he,  who  had  faced  death  amid  the  roar 
of  cannon  and  the  smoke  of  battle,  would  be  called  upon,  sur 
rounded  by  the  peaceful  and  happy  scenes  of  his  domestic  life, 


IX   MEMORIAM. 


385 


to  lay  down  his  sword  in  reverent  submission  to  the  one  event 
of  all  be  could  not  conquer. 

"  Loving  lips  have  told  me  of  his  last  illness  and  death,  how, 
amid  the  surroundings  of  his  happy  home,  removed  from  all  the  va 
ried  excitements  that  accompanied  his  intrepid  character  and  lent 
their  inspiration  to  his  heroic  achievements,  he,  with  a  heroism 
before  which  all  his  exhibitions  of  the  past  faded  into  nothingness, 
met  the  last  great  enemy  and  in  submission  bowed,  '  Thy  will, 
not  mine,  be  done.'  He  had  faced  death  before,  but  now  he 
was  to  meet  it  face  to  face  knowing  that  he  should  be  conquered. 
Calmly  as  one  who  journeys  to  a  distant  laud,  he  made  his 
preparations,  forgetting  nothing,  with  kind  and  loving  words  to 
those  about  him.  To  wife,  cherished  of  his  heart,  counsels  to 
enable  her  to  courageously  meet  the  event  and  obligations  so  soon 
to  be  imposed  upon  her,  to  children  about  to  be  made  father 
less,  wisdom  that  seemed  borrowed  from  beyond  that  bourne 
he  soon  would  pass,  to  friends  and  all,  words  of  cheer  and  com 
fort  that  carried  with  them  impulses  to  higher  aspirations  and 
nobler  purposes. 

"At  last,  as  the  solemn  bells  of  Sunday  morning  tolled  out 
their  summons  in  the  name  of  Him  through  whom  he  had  seen  the 
light  of  a  simple  Christian  faith  and  life  weave  the  certainty  of  a 
higher  and  better  life  beyond  the  grave,  and  surrounded  by  every 
association  of  love  and  tenderness  that  made  life  dear,  he  whis 
pered  his  last  farewell  and  closed  his  eyes  in  that  sleep  whose 
waking  is  beyond  mortal  vision.  Thus,  in  the  simple  faith  of  Him 
whose  disciple  he  was,  who  taught  the  lesson  of  an  immortal  life, 
his  earthly  life  was  ended. 


"  It  may  be  well  for  me,  on  this  occasion,  to  speak  of  his  feel 
ings  towards  his  old  regiments  and  to  recur  to  our  past  reunions 
as  related  by  him.  He.  had  a  warm  affection  for  all  his  old  regi 
ments.  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Andrew,  written  at  the  time  of 
his  promotion,  he  says :  '  It  is  with  feelings  of  sadness  that  I 
leave  the  command  of  a  Massachusetts  regiment.  I  have  served 
with  one  so  long  that  I  feel  that  my  history,  reputation  and  inter- 


25 


386 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


est  could  not  survive  my  separation  from  one  or  another  of  our 
noble  regiments.'  .... 

"  I  have  been  told  by  one  who  mourns  his  loss,  as  we  cannot, 
what  his  feelings  were  towards  the  Fifty-Seventh  Regiment,  and 
it  is  my  delight  to  tell  the  story  as  I  heard  it  from  lips  that  seemed 
to  fear  lest  they  fail  to  make  the  impress  of  his  earnestness  on  my 
mind.  .  .  .  He  was  always  proud  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  and  his 
love  for  it  abided  with  him  until  his  death.  During  his  last 
illness,  and  especially  when  the  time  of  dissolution  seemed  im 
minent,  he  often  said  he  feared  he  would  die  with  his  true  feelings 
unknown  to  us.  .  .  . 

"  As  we  lowered  him  to  his  last  resting  place,  there  stood 
over  that  open  grave  at  least  two  who  will  ever  recall  a  happy  con 
sciousness  as  they  remember  that  they  performed  these  last  sad 
offices.  As  the  setting  sun  of  that  brief  December  day  settled 
behind  the  mountains  that  would  forever  be  his  guard  of  honor, 
we  turned  away  and  left  him  alone  with  God.  I  returned  home, 
but,  somehow,  my  heart  lingered  behind  me  in  the  cemetery 
where  we  had  left  him.  I  thought  I  stood  again  uncovered 
beside  his  grave  and  a  mournful,  but  sweet  sadness  came  over 
me.  I  mourned  that  in  the  early  dawn  of  a  manhood  full  of 
golden  promises  he  should  be  called  away,  and  my  sadness  was 
sweetened  by  the  reflection  that  he  had  done  his  work  so  well. 
Along  down  the  line  of  coming  years  I  had  beheld  higher  honors 
and  greater  renown  awaiting  him.  I  had  seen  him  surrounded  by 
circumstances  and  possibilities  for  future  usefulness,  and  I  felt 
that  it  was  sad,  indeed,  that  he  should  die  so  soon,  and  yet, 
though  his  years  were  few,  they  were  full,  rounded  and  complete. 
....  The  record  of  his  life  is  safe.  Time  cannot  dim  its  glory 
or  the  heat  of  party  strife  detract  from  its  merit,  for  it  has  passed 
beyond  mortal  power  to  change  and  is  left  a  golden  heritage  in 
the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him.  The  lessons  of  his  life  are 
many,  and  they  will  be  productive  of  future  good,  seen  and  un 
seen,  noted  and  unnoted.  In  him  the  cardinal  virtues  of  the 
ancients,  thrown  into  bold  relief  by  the  reflected  light  of  his  char 
acter,  found  prominent  expression. 


IX    MEMOKIAM.  387 

"  The  summers  will  come  and  go  and  we  shall  meet,  but  our 
festival  will  only  know  him  in  happy  memories.  '  On  fame's 
eternal  camping  ground  '  he  has  spread  his  silent  tent  and  awaits 
our  coming.  I  know  that  somewhere  in  the  ages  ahead  we  shall 
meet  him  again.  When  the  great  Commander  shall  have  sum 
moned  us  all,  we  shall  meet  in  a  grander  reunion.  I  am  not  one 
who  sees  nothing  but  destruction  in  the  destroyer's  steps ;  I  have 
builded  my  faith  on  an  eternal  foundation,  and  I  echo  in  my  heart 
the  language  of  my  most  loved  poet :  — 

'  Alas  for  him  who  never  sees 

The  stars  shine  through  the  cypress  trees. 

Who,  hopeless,  lays  his  dead  away, 

Nor  looks  to  see  the  breaking  day 

Across  the  mournful  marbles  play ; 

Who  hath  not  learned  in  hours  of  faith. 

The  truth  to  flesh  and  sense  unknown, 

That  life  is  ever  lord  of  death, 

And  love  can  never  lose  its  own  ; 

For  love  will  dream  and  faith  will  trust 

(Since  He  who  knows  our  need  is  just) 

That  somehow,  somewhere,  meet  we  must.' 

"Farewell,  old  commander  and  comrade;  bright  hope  and 
happy  dream.  Amid  the  green  hills  of  your  adopted  Berkshire, 
where  nature  loves  to  tabernacle,  may  you  sleep  the  sleep  of  the 
just  and  true  in  your  grave.  You  had  your  share  of  human  im 
perfections,  but  death  has  forever  freed  thee,  and  thou  art  no 
longer  trammelled.  Upon  thy  grave  we  plant  the  sweetest  flow 
ers  of  all  the  fields.  Thy  memory  shall  grow  with  us,  and  in  the 
soil  that  covers  thee  renew  its  blossoms  and  fragrance  perennially. 

"Farewell,  old  commander,  soldier  of  war  and  soldier  of 
peace,  conqueror  of  battles  and  the  hearts  of  men.  Never  more 
shall  we  look  upon  thy  face,  but  we  will  wear  thy  memory  in  our 
hearts ;  marble  and  bronze  in  counterfeit  presentment  of  wrliat  we 
know  so  well,  may  wear  thy  name  and  face  writh  its  endurance, 
but  it  will  never  feel  the  throbs  of  affectionate  remembrance 
that  possess  our  hearts.  Farewell,  dear  friend,  tried  and  true. 
Soldier  of  love  and  soldier  of  faith,  your  battles  are  ended  and 


388 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


your  victory  is  won.  You  have  fought  the  good  fight,  you  have 
finished  your  course,  and  you  have  kept  the  faith." 

General  Bartlett  was  a  companion  of  the  Massachusetts 
Commandery  of  the  Military  Order,  Loyal  Legion,  United  States. 
At  a  meeting  of  this  Commandery,  held  in  Boston,  Wednesday, 
Feb.  7th,  1877,  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  paying 
a  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory.  We  quote  only  the  last 
few  words,  as  follows:  "The  life  of  our  deceased  companion 
was  so  full  of  promise,  as  well  as  of  performance,  that  our  grati 
tude  for  what  he  did,  and  for  the  influence  of  his  example,  is 
mingled  with  deep  regret  for  our  loss  of  what  might  have  been  his 
future.  With  proud  and  tender  recollection,  wre  record  our  testi 
mony  to  our  belief,  that  he  was  one  of  the  noblest  of  the  soldiers 
and  citizens  whom  Massachusetts  has  numbered  among  her  sons." 

One  of  his  Pittsfield  friends  fittingly  expressed  the  feelings 
of  his  old  comrades  in  the  following  lines :  — 

"  For  the  sake  of  Ms  gentleness, 
For  the  sake  of  his  manliness, 
For  the  sake  of  the  Wilderness, 

Where  his  blood  stained  the  lea, 
For  the  sake  of  his  duties  done, 
For  the  sake  of  the  fame  lie  won, 
For  the  sake  of  the  clays  to  come, 

Green  may  his  memory  be." 

The  personal  character  of  General  Bartlett  was  noble  and 
pure.  His  life  was  one  of  exalted  honor  and  romantic  heroism, 
and  in  his  death  there  was  something  grandly  sublime  and  sadly 
beautiful.  He  was  a  communicant  of  Saint  Stephen's  Episcopal 
Church  in  Pittsfield. 

At  the  close  of  the  funeral  service  in  the  church  the  following 
hymn  from  the  Episcopal  Hymnal  was  sung.  This  had  been 
previously  selected  by  him  :  — 

"  O  Paradise,  O  Paradise, 

Who  doth  not  crave  for  rest? 
Who  doth  not  seek  the  happy  land 
Where  they  that  loved  are  blest, 


IX    MEMORIAM. 

Where  loyal  hearts  and  true 

Stand  ever  in  the  light, 
All  raptured  through  and  through 

In  God's  most  holy  sight? 

Lord  Jesus,  King  of  Paradise, 

Oh,  keep  us  in  Thy  love, 
And  guide  us  to  that  happy  laud 

of  perfect  rest  above  : 
Where  loyal  hearts  and  true. 

Stand  ever  in  the  light, 
All  raptured  through  and  through 

In  God's  most  holy  sight." 

Among  the  many  loving  and  beautiful  tributes  paid  to  his 
memory  was  the  following  poem  written  by  John  Greenleaf 
Whittier :  - 

"  Oh.  well  may  Essex  sit  forlorn 
Beside  her  sea-blown  shore  : 
Her  well  beloved,  her  noblest  born 
Is  hers  in  life  no  more ! 

If  early  from  the  mother's  side 

Her  favored  child  went  forth, 
Her  pride  so  amply  justified 

Is  in  a  hero's  birth. 

No  lapse  of  years  can  render  less 

Her  memory's  sacred  claim  : 
No  fountain  of  forgetfuluess 

Can  wet  the  lips  of  fame, 

A  grief  alike  to  wound  and  heal, 

A  thought  to  soothe  and  pain, 
The  sad,  sweet  pride  that  mothers  feel 

To  her  must  still  remain  : 

Good  men  and  true  she  has  not  lacked, 

And  brave  men  yet  shall  be  : 
The  perfect  flower  the  crowning  fact. 

Of  all  her  years  was  he ! 

As  Galahad  pure,  as  Merlin  sage. 

What  worthier  knight  was  found 
To  grace  in  Arthur's  golden  age 

The  fabled  Table  Round? 


390  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

A  voice,  the  battle's  trumpet  note, 

To  welcome  and  restore ; 
A  hand,  that  all  unwilling  smote, 

To  heal  and  build  once  more ! 

A  soul  of  fire,  a  tender  heart 

Too  warm  for  hate,  he  knew 
The  generous  victor's  graceful  part, 

To  sheathe  the  sword  he  drew. 

The  more  than  Sidney  of  our  clay, 

Above  the  sin  and  wrong 
Of  civil  strife,  he  heard  alway 

The  angels'  Advent  song  ! 

When  earth,  as  if  on  evil  dreams, 

Looks  back  upon  her  wars, 
And  the  white  light  of  Christ  outstreams 

From  the  red  disk  of  Mars, 

His  fame  who  led  the  stormy  van 

Of  battle  well  may  cease, 
But  never  that  which  crowns  the  man 

Whose  victory  was  Peace. 

Mourn,  Essex,  on  thy  sea-blown  shore, 

Thy  beautiful  and  brave, 
Whose  failing  hand  the  olive  bore, 

Whose  dying  lips  forgave  ! 

Let  age  lament  the  youthful  chief, 

And  tender  eyes  be  dim  ; 
The  tears  are  more  of  joy  than  grief 

That  fall  for  one  like  him." 

Capt.  George  E.  Barton  of  Worcester  died  May  29th,  1878, 
after  a  brief  illness.  His  death  was  a  painful  surprise  to  all  bis 
friends.  Captain  Barton  was  the  youngest  son  of  Judge  Ira  M. 
Barton,  a  highly  esteemed  family  of  Worcester  and  one  that  did 
much  for  the  Union  cause  during  the  war.  His  next  elder 
brother,  E.  M.  Barton,  was  connected  with  the  U.S.  Sanitary 
Commission  and  attached  to  the  headquarters  of  the  Fifth  Army 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Worcester  boys  who  were  in  that 
army  have  reason  to  remember  him  for  his  many  acts  of  kindness 
towards  them  while  in  hospital  sick  or  wounded. 


IN    MEMORIAM. 


391 


Captain  Barton  was  thirty-six  years  and  eleven  months  old  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  His  military  record  was  one  crowned 
with  honor.  He  threw  his  whole  heart  and  soul  into  the  cause 
of  his  country.  He  first  entered  the  service  as  a  private  in  the 
51st  Massachusetts,  and  was  subsequently  made  sergeant-major. 
With  the  expiration  of  his  service  he  was  discharged  and  again 
volunteered  in  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  and  was  appointed 
2d  lieutenant,  promoted  to  1st  lieutenant  and  captain.  He 
went  with  the  Fifty-Seventh  to  the  field  as  acting  adjutant,  and 
was  soon  appointed  assistant  quartermaster  of  the  Ambulance 
Corps,  but  was  subsequently  relieved,  at  his  own  request,  and 
joined  the  regiment  in  front  of  Petersburg  and  participated  in  all 
the  engagements  that  followed.  He  was  twice  wounded  and 
finally  had  the  distinguished  honor  of  commanding  the  regiment 
when  it  entered  Petersburg. 

Captain  Barton  was  a  great  favorite  in  the  army  and  will  long 
be  remembered  for  his  genial,  sunny  disposition ;  always  happy 
himself,  he  had  a  faculty  of  imparting  his  cheerful  disposition  to 
others.  No  hardships  or  dangers  could  change  him;  however 
dark  the  cloud,  his  vision  seemed  to  discover  the  bright  sunbeams 
behind  it,  always  ready  to  do  a  kind  act  for  another  or  to  share 
his  only  blanket  with  him.  On  the  march  or  in  the  camp  he  was 
always  the  same,  never  "growling  "  or  complaining,  but  quick  to 
discern  a  bright  spot  where  there  was  one ;  if  there  was  none,  he 
would  make  it. 

His  funeral  was  attended  by  the  few  surviving  members  of 
his  old  regiments,  the  51st  and  57th,  who  were  in  the  vicinity  of 
Worcester,  Post  10,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  under  Com 
mander  James  K.  Churchill,  and  the  Worcester  Continentals, 
under  Col.  W.  S.  B.  Hopkins.  The  procession  was  a  very  im 
posing  one.  As  it  passed  through  the  city  to  Rural  Cemetery  the 
streets  were  crowded  with  people.  The  services  at  the  cemetery 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  Henry  L.  Jones,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  Saint 
Stephen's  Episcopal  Church  of  Wilkesbarre,  Penn.  There  were 
many  beautiful  floral  offerings.  He  was  buried  in  the  army 
blouse  of  a  private  soldier,  while  on  his  breast  was  a  gold 
badge  of  the  G.A.R.,  which  had  been  presented  to  him  as 


392 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


being  the  most  popular  comrade  of  Post  10.  The  ceremony  at 
the  grave  was  very  impressive,  while  amid  the  silence  of  the 
gathering  twilight  of  early  summer  our  friend  and  comrade  was 
laid  to  rest  where  he  is  "  tenting  tonight  "  on  the  camping  grounds 
of  eternal  peace. 

Captain  Barton  was  a  loyal  and  devoted  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  left  the  sum  of  five  hundred 
dollars  to  the  George  H.  Ward  (Worcester)  Post  No.  10. 

Sergeant  Walter  R.  Foster  of  Company  H  died  in  Worcester, 
Oct.  23d,  1879. 

The  funeral  services  were  held  at  the  First  Universalist 
Church  and  the  burial  ceremony  conducted  by  Post  10,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic. 

Sergeant  Foster  first  entered  the  service  when  but  eighteen 
years  of  age,  and  remained  with  the  Fifty-Seventh  until  its  muster 
out,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  after  which  he  was  employed  as 
Assistant  Ticket  Agent,  at  the  old  Foster  Street  Railroad  Station, 
Worcester.  He  was  a  very  quiet,  unassuming  man,  but  had  a 
large,  warm  heart  and  made  friends  wherever  he  was  known. 

As  a  soldier  he  was  brave,  reliable  and  trustworthy.  His 
record  was  an  honorable  one.  His  life  was  one  well  worthy  of 
emulation. 

A  few  verses  were  written  for  the  Worcestei  Gazette,  signed 
"  C.  A.  K.  P."  We  have  taken  the  liberty  of  copying  the  last 
verse. 

IN  MEMORIAM. 
THE  LATE  WALTER  R.  FOSTER. 


No  life  is  brief  whose  passing  years 
Bring  blessings  to  a  human  soul, 
No  work  is  vain  that  is  nobly  done, 
Xo  race  is  short  that  wins  the  goal ; 
And  they  who,  in  temptation's  hour. 
Battle  with  passion's  surging  tide. 
May  gain  fresh  courage  from  the  thought 
That  '  such  as  he  have  lived  and  died.' " 


IX   MEMORIAM. 


393 


Corp.  David  N.  Chapin  of  Company  B  passed  from  this  to  a 
higher  life  on  the  5th  of  November,  1879.  He  was  a  brave 
soldier,  one  who  was  faithful  to  his  country  during  the  dark  days 
of  the  war,  true  to  his  friends  and  a  devoted  Christian.  He  was 
buried  with  Masonic  honors.  A  guard  of  honor,  composed  of  sur 
viving  comrades  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  escorted  the  remains  to 
their  final  resting  place,  there  to  await  the  grand  reveille  of 
eternal  day. 

At  the  reunion  which  was  held  in  1874  the  death  of  Albert 
Doty,  formerly  1st  lieutenant  and  adjutant  of  the  Fifty- Seventh, 
was  reported.  In  the  early  part  of  the  war  he  was  a  student 
at  Williams  College,  but  promptly  responded  to  the  call  of  his 
country,  and  enlisted  in  a  regiment  from  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  made  an  honorable  record.  Having  been  discharged,  by 
reason  of  expiration  of  service,  he  again  enlisted  in  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Massachusetts,  and  soon  after  taking  the  field,  \vas  pro 
moted  to  1st  lieutenant  and  appointed  regimental  adjutant, 
which  position  he  was  well  qualified  to  fill ;  subsequently  he  was 
appointed  captain  by  brevet  for  gallantry  in  action  while  serving 
with  the  Fifty- Seventh.  He  was  conspicuous  for  gallantry  and 
was  regardless  of  personal  safety,  even  to  the  extent  of  reckless 
ness,  yet,  like  all  others,  he  was  obliged  to  surrender  to  the  one 
great  enemy  who  has  been  inarching  on,  victorious  over  mortality, 
since  the  creation,  and  will  continue  to  gather  his  victims  as  long 
as  time  shall  last ;  Shakespeare  says  :  — 

"  Cowards  die  many  times  before  their  deaths ; 
The  valiant  never  taste  of  death  but  once." 

Captain  Doty  commanded  the  regiment,  for  some  time  after 
the  battle  of  the  Petersburg  mine,  and  was  the  only  officer  on  duty 
with  it. 

We  make  no  attempt  to  record  deaths  in  chronological  order, 
from  the  fact  that  many  have  died  at  a  distance  and  their  deaths 
reported  without  date,  which  it  has  been  impossible  to  obtain. 

Capt.  John  W.  Sanderson  died  Jan.  13th,  1884,  at  Coif  ax, 
Iowa,  aged  fifty-six  years.  Captain  Sanderson  first  entered  the 
service  as  1st  lieutenant  in  the  51st  Massachusetts  in  1862, 


394 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


and  served  with  it  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service. 
Upon  the  organization  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  regiment  he  was 
appointed  2d  lieutenant  from  date  of  Oct.  21st,  1863,  and 
authorized  to  raise  a  company  for  that  regiment.  He  opened  an 
office  and  recruited  in  Worcester,  being  the  first  to  complete  the 
organization  of  a  company,  which  was  lettered  A,  of  which  he 
was  commissioned  captain,  to  date  from  Dec.  26th,  1863,  and 
was  the  senior  of  that  grade  in  the  regiment.  He  was  a  man  of 
high  personal  character,  untiring  energy  and  an  excellent  officer, 
well  trained  in  the  duties  pertaining  to  his  position,  and  one  who 
took  a  great  pride  in  his  profession.  He  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  so  disabled  as  to  render  him 
physically  disqualified  for  further  service  in  the  field,  on  which 
account  he  was  discharged  for  disability,  Nov.  10th,  1864.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  he  went  west,  and  engaged  in  business  pur 
suits,  which  separated  him  from  a  personal  participation  in  the 
regimental  reunions.  He  left  a  record  which  his  living  comrades 
are  proud  to  honor. 

Another  name  on  the  list  of  deaths,  which  we  cannot  pass 
unnoticed,  is  that  of  Capt.  Levi  Lawrence  of  Fitchburg,  who  en 
tered  the  service  of  the  United  States  as  1st  lieutenant  in  the 
25th  Massachusetts,  Oct.  12th,  1861,  and  served  as  such  until  July 
21st,  1862.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massa 
chusetts  he  raised  a  company  in  and  around  Fitchburg,  which  was 
called  the  Fitchburg  company,  and  was  mustered  Feb.  llth,  1864, 
taking  the  letter  F.  He  was  severely  wounded  in  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  never  sufficiently 
recovered  to  be  able  to  return  to  duty,  and  was  discharged  for 
disability  Sept.  14th,  1864.  Captain  Lawrence  was  a  man  of 
gentle  disposition  and  sterling  worth,  cool  and  brave  in  the  hour 
of  danger,  and  thoroughly  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  every 
duty. 

After  leaving  the  service  he  located  in  Fitchburg,  where  he 
remained  until  1876,  when  he  moved  to  his  old  homestead, 
Ashby,  Mass.  He  always  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  Regimental  Association  and  all  old  comrades  who  had 
seen  honorable  service  in  the  army.  His  was  one  of  those  up- 


IN    MEMORIAM. 


395 


right  lives  that  never  go  out,  without  leaving  a  lingering  twilight 
to  consecrate  its  memory.  One  w^ould  think  that  such  a  life 
would  end  as  quietly  as  it  had  lived,  but  such  was  not  the  case. 
After  facing  the  driving  storm  and  turmoil  of  battle,  he  was 
destined  to  meet  a  tragic  death  through  shipwreck.  Failing 
health,  caused  by  the  hardships  and  exposures  incident  to  his 
army  life,  compelled  him  to  seek  a  milder  climate.  For  this 
purpose  he  sailed  from  Boston,  January,  1884,  on  the  ill-fated 
steamer,  City  of  Columbus,  intending  to  visit  Florida,  and  return 
the  following  spring,  and  to  visit  some  of  the  old  battlefields  of 
the  South.  After  leaving  Boston  a  dreadful  storm  arose.  The 
night  was  dark  and  cold  ;  the  wind  drove  the  ship  upon  the  rocks 
off  Gay's  Head  and  it  became  a  total  wreck.  Captain  Lawrence 
was  among  the  drowned.  The  stormy  billows  were  his  funeral 
escort  to  the  shores  of  eternal  rest  and  peace.  His  memory  is 
honored  by  citizens  as  an  upright  man ;  by  his  old  comrades 
in  arms  as  a  man  with  a  heart  as  kind  as  it  wras  brave  and 
true. 

Gen.  Napoleon  B.  McLaughlen,  who  became  colonel  of  the 
Fifty- Seventh  after  the  promotion  of  Colonel  Bartlett  to  brigadier- 
general,  died  at  Middletown,  N.Y.,  Jan.  27th,  1887,  at  about  the 
age  of  sixty- four  years.  He  was  an  old  soldier,  having  first 
entered  the  regular  army,  by  enlistment,  as  a  private  in  Troop  F, 
of  the  old  Second  Dragoons,  May  20th,  1850.  He  was  appointed 
2d  lieutenant  in  the  1st  Cavalry  in  March,  1861,  and  pro 
moted  1st  lieutenant,  4th  Cavalry,  the  following  May.  In 
October,  1862,  he  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  1st  Massachusetts 
Infantry,  succeeding  Col.  Robert  Cowdin,  and  colonel  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts,  July  21,  1864,  returning  to  the 
State  in  command  of  the  same.  He  commanded  the  brigade, 
composed  mostly  of  Massachusetts  troops,  known  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  as  "  McLaughlen's  brigade."  He  was  appointed  a 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  by  brevet,  for  gallant  and  distin 
guished  service  at  Poplar  Grove  Church,  Va.,  and  in  the  regular 
army  by  brevet  for  gallant  and  meritorious  service,  as  follows : 
Major,  May  3d,  1863,  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.  ;  lieutenant- 
colonel,  July  2d,  1863,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.  ;  colonel  and  brigadier- 


396 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


general  at  Fort  Stedman,  Va.,  March  25th,  1865.  After  having 
been  mustered  out  of  the  volunteer  service,  Aug.  10th,  1865, 
he  returned  to  his  regiment  in  the  regular  army,  4th  Cavalry, 
where  he  had,  in  the  meantime,  been  promoted  to  captain.  He 
was  promoted  to  major  of  the  10th  Cavalry  May  17th,  1876,  and 
was  placed  on  the  retired  list,  upon  his  own  application,  after 
thirty  years  of  continuous  service,  June  26th,  1882.  As  a 
soldier,  General  McLaughlen  was  a  man  of  undaunted  courage, 
mature  judgment  and  conscientious  in  the  performance  of  duty. 
During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  was  a  great  sufferer  from 
the  effects  of  hardships  and  exposures  in  the  field. 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Heath,  formerly  assistant  surgeon  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh,  died  at  his  home  in  Lee,  Mass.,  Oct.  5th,  1887. 
His  death  fell  with  a  peculiar  sadness  upon  his  old  comrades,  who 
were  accustomed  to  look  forward  to  his  kindly  greeting  at  each 
annual  reunion,  which  he  seemed  to  enjoy  so  much.  The  hearty 
grasp  of  his  honest  hand  had  been  loosened  here,  only  to  be  again 
outstretched  for  a  comrade's  greeting,  as  we  meet  him  in  the  dawn 
of  a  brighter  future.  He  took  a  zealous  interest  in  the  associa 
tion  of  the  old  regiment,  and  was  honored  and  respected  by  his 
comrades  who  felt  the  genial  warmth  of  his  friendship.  Their 
sympathies  clothed  him  with  their  affections.  None  who  ever 
wore  the  uniform  possessed  a  greater  love  for  the  old  flag,  or 
abiding  loyalty  to  the  country,  than  he.  His  manner  was  quiet 
and  unassuming,  with  a  generous  heart,  as  sensitive  and  tender  as 
that  of  a  child.  His  many  acts  of  kindness  will  long  be  remem 
bered  by  those  who  were  the  recipients  of  his  attentions.  The 
Valley  Gleaner  of  Lee,  in  the  issue  of  Oct.  5th,  1887,  says  of 
him :  — 

"  A  host  of  friends  in  Lee  and  throughout  Berkshire  County, 
will  learn  with  sincere  sorrow  of  the  death  of  Dr.  Charles  E. 
Heath,  which  occurred  about  five  o'clock  this  morning.  Although 
he  had  been  suffering  for  a  long  time,  the  end  came  very  suddenly. 
....  Major  Cook,  of  the  Boston  Custom  House,  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  war,  and  always  believed  that  nothing  but  the 
doctor's  skill  and  untiring  devotion  saved  his  life.  When  he 
heard  of  the  doctor's  illness,  a  few  days  ago,  he  started  im- 


IN    MEMO  HI  AM. 


397 


mediately  and  was  soon  at  his  bedside.  The  meeting  was  most 
affecting  and  Major  Cook  did  not  leave  until  all  hope  and  con 
sciousness  were  gone Dr.  Heath  was  a  man  of  upright 

character,  warm  hearted,  generous  nature  and  genial  manner,  and 
he  enjoyed  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  In  public  and  in 
private,  and  both  as  a  physician  and  friend,  he  will  be  sadly 
missed." 

The  tears  of  friends  will  keep  his  memory  green,  while  the 
qualities  of  heart  and  mind  that  made  them  have,  undoubtedly, 
won  for  him  a  higher  reward  in  that  other  life,  than  fell  to  his  lot 
in  this. 

Austin  K.  Gould,  of  whom  former  mention  has  been  made, 
who  was  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Anderson ville,  died  at  his  home  in 
Worcester,  Mass.,  Friday,  Sept.  8th,  1893,  and  was  buried  the 
following  Monday,  in  Amherst,  Mass.  Comrade  J.  Brainerd 
Hall  paid  a  deserving  tribute  to  his  memory  in  an  address 
delivered  before  the  Massachusetts  Association  of  Union  Ex- 
Prisoners  of  War,  from  which  we  have  been  kindly  permitted  to 
make  use  of  the  following  extract :  — 

In  1861  Doctor  Austin  K.  Gould  was  a  practising  physician  in  Fitch- 
burg,  Mass.  In  18G2  he  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier  and  joined  Company 
B,  53d  Massachusetts  Infantry.  Pie  was  at  once  assigned  to  duty  in 
regimental  hospital,  and  very  soon  after  that  regiment  reached  New 
Orleans,  was  placed  in  charge  of  one  of  the  division  hospitals  of  the 
Nineteenth  Corps,  at  Baton  Rouge,  remaining  there  until  the  early  fall 
of  1863,  when  he  came  north  with  the  53d,  its  term  of  service  having 
expired. 

On  the  last  day  of  1803  Doctor  Gould  again  enlisted  as  a  private,  and 
immediately  joined  Company  F,  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Infantry. 
He  was  not  allowed  to  remain  with  his  company,  but  was  at  once  called 
to  the  hospital,  where  he  remained  until  about  April  18th,  1864,  when  he 
was  detailed  and  assigned  to  duty  in  general  hospital  service. 

When  the  campaign  of  1864  began  he  was  attached  to  the  ambulance 
train  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  crossing  the  Rapidan  May  5th.  On  the 
morning  of  May  6th  ....  our  lines  wrere  driven  back  (Wilderness)  and 
night  found  fifty  men  at  the  Second  Corps  Hospital  between  the  lines. 
They  were  so  badly  wounded  that  no  one  would  take  the  responsibility 
of  moving  them  in  army  wagons.  I  shall  never  forget  the  order  that 
came  from  one  of  the  senior  medical  officers  :  "  Come,  doctor,  pick  up 
your  traps ;  if  any  of  those  fellows  are  alive  by  morning  they  will  be 


398 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


no  good  to  the  Johnnies."  Doctor  Gould  answered  :  "  These  men  can  be 
saved ;  I  shall  remain,  and,  if  necessary,  go  to  prison  and  die  with  them. 
It  is  not  humane  to  leave  them  alone."  He  remained,  and  every  one  of 
us  were  brought  out  the  next  afternoon.  During  the  next  thirty-six 
hours  we  were  captured  and  recaptured  many  times.  On  the  third  occa 
sion  of  our  capture  Doctor  Gould  was  separated  from  us.  He,  however, 
denied  that  he  was  a  surgeon  and  kept  with  his  comrades,  going  with 

them  to  Andersonville 

He  was  loved  and  respected  by  every  Union  soldier  who  was  ever 
blest  with  a  personal  acquaintance  with  him.  His  heart  was  so  big  that 
it  recognized  every  defender  of  the  flag  as  a  brother,  and  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  care  for  him  the  best  he  could,  without  money  and  without 
price 

Of  all  the  sad  deaths  we  have  been  called  upon  to  record 
during  the  progress  of  this  work,  one  of  the  saddest  was  that  of 
Bvt.-Maj.  John  H.  Cook,  who  died  Aug.  19th,  1893.  We  have 
made  brief  mention,  on  a  former  page,  of  bis  services  and  the 
severe  and  painful  wound  be  received  July  21st,  1864,  tbe  bullet 
passing  directly  through  bis  body.  For  days  be  hovered  between 
life  and  death,  and  finally,  much  to  the  surprise  of  everyone, 
survived  and  lived  for  many  years.  He  was  born  in  Northamp 
ton  in  1841.  In  the  early  part  of  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  10th 
Massachusetts,  and  was  in  the  celebrated  Peninsula  campaign 
under  General  McClellan.  After  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  he  was 
taken  sick  writh  typhoid  fever,  contracted  in  the  swamps  of  the 
Chickahominy,  in  consequence  of  which  he  was  discharged  for  dis 
ability,  on  the  17th  of  July,  1862.  Having  recovered  from  his 
sickness,  he  again  entered  the  service  and  helped  to  raise  and 
organize  Company  E  of  the  Fifty- Seventh,  of  which  company 
he  was  commissioned  1st  lieutenant.  The  nature  of  his  wound 
was  so  serious  that  he  was  never  able  to  return  again  to  field  duty, 
and  was  discharged  for  disability  Dec.  27th,  1864,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  Boston,  until  appointed  a  clerk  in 
the  Custom  House,  afterwards  storekeeper,  head  storekeeper,  and 
finally  as  auditor,  filling  every  position  faithfully  and  efficiently. 
He  represented  Ward  Eighteen  of  Boston  in  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature,  in  1875,  1876  and  1877.  He  was  a  member  of  Post 
113,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  was  Department  Inspec- 


IX   MEMORIAM. 


391) 


tor  on  the  staff  of  Myron    P.   Walker,   his  old  tentmate  in  the 
10th  Massachusetts. 

For  many  years  Major  Cook  held  the  position  of  president  of 
our  Fifty- Seventh  Regimental  Association,  and  always  took  a  deep 
interest  in  all  that  concerned  it  and  each  individual  member  of  it. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  in  helping  to  organize,  and  it  might  be  said 
of  him  that  he  was  the  very  life  and  soul  of  it,  never  missing  the 
annual  reunions,  except  when  prevented  by  sickness.  His  love 
for  the  old  regiment  was  true  and  enduring  to  the  very  last. 
Captain  Priest  writes  :  lt  At  my  last  call,  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
last  day  of  his  life,  he  knew  the  end  was  near  and  his  thoughts 
were  of  you,  men  of  the  Fifty- Seventh,  for  he  asked  me  to  do 
whatever  related  to  the  attendance  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  at  the 
funeral,  and  to  see  that  Chaplain  Dashiell  was  present  to  take  part 
in  the  services.  He  wanted  us  with  him  to  the  last."  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  appointed  captain  and  major  by  brevet 
by  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  War. 

Major  Cook's  personal  character  was  one  of  unsullied  truth 
and  honor ;  nothing  could  swerve  him  from  the  upright  course 
which  he  pursued.  He  was  deserving  of  friends  and  he  had 
them  ;  their  name  was  legion,  and  he  was  always  true  to  them. 
His  friendship  could  be  relied  upon,  whether  in  a  high  or  low 
position.  To  the  poor  and  needy  he  was  especially  kind  and 
sympathetic.  No  worthy  person  ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain 
His  heart  was  warm  and  large,  "  with  malice  towards  none  and 
charity  for  all."  Thus  he  lived  and  thus  he  died,  in  full  faith  that 
there  is  a  higher  and  better  life  beyond  this,  to  which  he  carried 
his  love  of  country,  comrades  and  friends.  In  his  death  the 
Fifty- Seventh  lost  wThat  our  comrades,  who  have  gone  before,  have 
gained. 

He  was  of  a  happy,  uncomplaining  disposition,  and  when  his 
affairs  did  not  go  just  to  suit  him,  patiently  waited.  He  was 
happy  in  his  domestic  relations  and  in  the  possession  of  a  quiet 
little  home,  where  he  spent  most  of  his  time  after  the  duties  of  the 
day  were  over. 

It  is  impossible  to  pause  to  notice  all  the  worthy  and  honora 
ble  names  of  comrades  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  who  .have  given 


400 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


their  lives  for  the  sake  of  the  country.  They  have  passed  on  in 
such  rapid  succession  that  the  lingering  light  of  their  mortal  lives 
seems  blended  in  one  harmonious  whole,  where  special  mention  of 
each  deserving  case  is  absolutely  impossible.  As  the  months  pass 
and  years  roll  on,  we  are  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  some 
friend  and  comrade,  whose  unwritten  eulogy  will  silently  speak 
through  the  ages  that  are  to  come.  Among  the  names  that 
demand  special  attention  is  still  another  honored  one,  which 
shines  from  the  modest  security  of  a  lingering,  suffering,  unpre 
tentious  life,  whose  pure  and  spotless  soul  cast  off  the  painful 
deformity  of  mutilated  mortality  on  the  18th  day  of  June,  1887, 
and  ascended  to  that  higher  life  of  immortality.  The  name  of 
Lieut.  Charles  E.  Barnard  will  live  in  the  affections  of  his 
comrades  while  their  memory  lasts.  Such  names  and  characters 
beautify  any  book,  and  such  gentle,  loving  dispositions  infuse 
a  new  life  of  noble  sentiment  wherever  their  influence  is  felt. 

As  a  soldier  Lieutenant  Barnard  was  brave,  honorable  and 
conscientious  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  was  loved 
and  respected  by  his  comrades  in  arms.  The  same  qualities  that 
endeared  him  to  them  followed  him  from  the  army  to  civil  life, 
where  he  made  friends  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He 
first  entered  the  army  by  enlistment  as  a  private  soldier,  in 
Company  E,  15th  Massachusetts.  At  the  battle  of  Antietam, 
Sept.  17th,  1862,  he  received  a  gunshot  wound  through  the  body; 
the  ball  entered  between  the  breasts  and  passed  out  near  the 
spine.  He  was  discharged  Nov.  24th,  1862,  on  account  of  dis 
ability  arising  from  this  wound,  but  recovered  sufficiently  to  be 
able  again  to  enter  the  service,  and  enlisted  the  second  time, 
February,  1864,  in  Company  F  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Regiment, 
and  was  made  1st  sergeant.  He  was  with  the  regiment  through 
the  terrible  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House, 
North  Anna,  and  all  the  engagements  in  front  of  Petersburg  to 
the  attack  on  Fort  Stedman,  March  25th,  1865,  when  he  was 
again  severely  wounded,  this  time  through  the  neck  and  arm. 
The  ball  entered  the  top  of  the  left  shoulder  and  split  in  its  course 
downward,  one  piece  passing  out  of  the  old  Antietam  wound, 
while  the  other  lodged  lower  and  on  the  right  side  of  the  body, 


IN    MKMORIAM.  401 

where  it  remained.  On  the  12th  of  June,  1865,  he  was  commis 
sioned  2d  lieutenant  and  discharged  with  the  regiment  July  30th, 
18f)5.  He  became  an  invalid  as  a  result  of  his  wounds,  and  for 
much  of  the  time  was  unable  to  leave  his  bed.  The  fragment  of 
the  ball  which  had  lodged  in  his  body  caused  him  much  pain,  and 
sores  to  form.  It  finally  appeared  to  lodge  in  the  right  hip, 
which  caused  the  cords  of  the  right  leg  to  contract  so  much  that 
the  right  knee  was  drawn  up  so  as  to  rest  against  the  abdomen 
and  breast ;  it  being  so  much  drawn  up  that  he  could  rest  his  chin 
on  his  knee. 

The  wounds  in  the  back  and  shoulder  caused  paralysis  of  the 
left  arm,  also  a  disease  of  the  spine.  During  all  the  years  that 
he  survived  the  war  he  was  a  patient  sufferer  and  was  never  heard 
to  murmur  or  complain.  Although  a  cripple,  and  unable  to  per 
form  manual  labor  of  any  kind,  he  was  of  a  cheerful  disposition 
and  possessed,  to  an  eminent  degree,  the  cardinal  virtue  of 
charity.  Many  acts  of  kindness,  which  he  supposed  no  one 
knew,  were  subsequently  traced  to  him,  often  depriving  himself 
that  he  might  be  able  to  lighten  the  burden  of  some  unfortunate 
comrade,  to  whom  his  heart  always  turned  with  feelings  of 
sympathy.  Such  a  life  sheds  a  lustre  that  does  not  vanish  with 
death,  but  leaves  a  fragrant  incense  which  death  cannot  kill. 

Since  the  final  muster-out  of  the  regiment  comrades  have  be 
come  dispersed  and  scattered  throughout  the  country,  so  that  it  is 
absolutely  impossible  to  keep  a  complete  and  correct  record  of 
them,  although  strenuous  efforts  have  been  made  in  that  direction 
by  the  officers  of  the  regimental  association,  as  they  have  met 
from  year  to  year.  The  whereabouts  of  many  cannot  be  ascer 
tained  ;  many,  no  doubt,  have  died  whose  names  have  not  been 
reported.  We  append  a  list,  which,  though  it  may  not  be  correct 
in  every  particular,  yet  is  as  near  as  anyone  can  make  it,  of  com 
rades  who  have  died  and  passed  from  the  shadows  of  this  mortal 
to  the  light  of  the  unseen  and  immortal  life,  beyond  the  dark 
river.  Whether  their  graves  are  marked  by  sculptured  stone, 
tablets  of  bronze,  or  only  the  faded  flowers  placed  there  by  loving 
hands  of  surviving  comrades  with  each  Memorial  Day,  yet,  what 
is  better  still,  the  principles  for  which  they  battled  will  continue 


402 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


to  live  and  brighten  the  pages  of  American  history.  This  is  the 
grandest  and  most  enduring  monument,  and  pays  a  higher  tribute 
to  their  memory  than  the  most  eloquent  encomium  that  can  be 
written.  These  principles  will  continue  to  grow  stronger  and 
stronger,  into  the  very  web  and  woof  of  our  united  country,  to 
endure  through  ages  to  come,  an  inspiration  to  loyal  hearts  and  a 
beacon  light  to  all  people  who  are  struggling  for  the  rights  of 
freedom  and  the  elevation  of  the  human  race.  Their  memory  is 
honored,  and  these  principles  espoused  even  by  those  who  bravely 
battled  on  the  other  side. 

We  pass  on  to  other  names  :  Lieut.  James  Peacock,  reported 
at  reunion  of  1883,  who  was  severely  wounded  in  the  battle  of 
Fort  Stedman,  and  was  a  great  sufferer  for  several  years  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  until  death  relieved  him  of  his  sufferings.  Also, 
Lieut.  Henry  M.  Ide,  whose  death  was  reported  at  the  annual  re 
union  of  the  regiment  in  1881.  Lieutenant  Ide  was  promoted 
from  the  grade  of  sergeant.  From  the  non-commissioned  staff 
officers  the  name  of  Commissary  Sergeant  David  F.  Lawry  was 
reported  at  the  reunion  in  1873,  who  died  in  East  Hampton, 
Conn. 

Also  Principal  Musician  Jesse  S.  Scott,  who  died  in  Leices 
ter,  Mass.,  September,  1892.  Musician  Scott  left  an  honorable 
record  for  faithful  performance  of  duty.  He  first  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  3d  Battalion  Massachusetts  Rifles,  May  19th,  1861, 
and  was  discharged  the  following  August.  Enlisted  again  in  the 
band  of  the  21st  Massachusetts,  Aug.  21st,  1861,  and  was  dis 
charged  Aug.  llth,  1862.  Enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifty-Sev 
enth  Massachusetts,  in  December,  1863,  and  was  discharged 
May  26th,  1865. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  deaths  by  companies,  given  as  they 
were  reported  at  reunions.  Where  no  date  follows  the  name,  it 
is  unknown  :  — 


Company  A. —  Corp.  Albert  S.  Allen,  reported  in  1895;  Ebenezer  A. 
Bartlett,  1894;  Warren  Grimes  (59th),  reported  in  1881;  Augustus 
J.  Trussell,  reported  1883 ;  John  Teague,  July  1st,  1881;  James 
Walsh,  reported  1875;  Russell  R.  Seaver,  April  23d,  1893;  Henry 


IN    MEMORIAM.  403 

C.  Flint  (59th),  date  unknown:  Ebeuezer  L.  Wilson   (59th),  date 
unknown;   Charles  F.  Dudley,  date  unknown. 

Company  B. —  Corp.  Ezra  C.  Bemis,  reported  1874;  Musician  Eugene 
Smith,  reported  1893:  David  N.  Chapin,  Nov.  5th,  1879;  George 
S.  Ballon,  unknown;  Warren  E.  Brewer,  1871;  John  Bradley, 
Dec.  23d,  1871;  Albert  Brigham,  July  10th,  1887;  William  II. 
Clark,  Jan.  2cl,  1890;  John  Donahue,  March  15th,  1867;  Sergt. 
Willis  A.  Forbes,  reported  in  1895;  James  H.  Holland,  reported  in 
1875;  Patrick  Lyons,  March  1st,  1892;  William  A.  Moore,  March 
5th,  1881:  Royal  S.  Tierce,  May  31st,  1871;  Hugh  Waters,  Aug. 
6th,  1884;  Edward  Lowell,  date  unknown;  Edwin  H.  Smith, 
date  unknown:  Benjamin  L.  Leonard,  at  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea, 
Jan.  17th,  1896 

Company  C.  —  Corp.  Amos  A.  Dodge  (59th),  reported  1884:  James 
Ackley,  reported  1893;  John  Neylon,  reported  1891;  Charles  E. 
Spooner  (59th).  Oct.  31st,  1893;  Walter  B.  Welton,  Dec.  15th, 
1891 ;  Cornelius  Harley,  reported  1895. 

Company  D.— Sergt.  Franklin  W.  Card,  reported  1891;  Sergt.  Myron 
Goodell,  reported  1891;  Corp.  George  F.  Lareby,  date  unknown; 
Musician  Morris  Welch,  reported  1891;  James  Platt,  November, 
1889;  J.  Bradbury,  date  unknown;  E.  C.  Jordan,  date  unknown. 

Company  E. —  William  R.  Barrows,  date  unknown;  Frank  Blair,  date 
unknown;  Asa  D.  Burleigh,  reported  in  1884  as  having  died  from 
the  effects  of  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness ; 
Thomas  Hughes,  Martin  Karrigan,  Cephas  B.  Pasco,  1876;  George 
W.  Pasco,  date  unknown;  Charles  H.  Parker,  reported  in  1881, 
and  Asa  Thompson. 

Company  F.  —Patrick  Brannon,  Feb.  21st,  1890;  George  R.  Edgecomb, 
died  inFitchburg,  May  2d,  1873;  Austin  K.  Gould,  Sept.  8th,  1893; 
Edward  Hanrahan,  reported  in  1890;  John  Hennessey,  reported  in 
1894;  Stephen  PI.  Nourse,  May  16th,  1890;  Edgar  F.  Sawyer,  May 
14th,  1894;  John  Sullivan,  reported  1894;  Henry  A.  Wilkins,  re 
ported  1894;  Corp.  Aaron  Wilkins,  Aug.  5th,  1887;  Michael 
O'Donnell,  reported  May  15th,  1879;  Charles  W.  Babbitt,  Sept. 
10th,  1886;  Charles  F.  Blood,  Dec.  27th,  1887 

Company  G.  —  Dennis  Donovan,  reported  1894;  William  H.  Flagg, 
Jan.  1st,  1871;  Frederick  E.  Goff,  Aug.  10th,  1895;  Luther  C. 
Hawkins,  reported  1875;  John  Morrisey,  March  17th,  1892;  Melvin 
Ewell,  reported  in  1891. 

Company  H.  —  Sergt.  Walter  R.  Foster,  Oct.  23d,  1879  ;  Thomas  Conners, 
July  15th,  1867;  John  E.  Grout,  reported  1875;  Charles  N.  Hair, 


404  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Oct.  10th,  1890:  James  H.  Raymond,  May  23d,  1879;  Amos  Sprague, 
Jan.  20th,  1890;  Dennis  Sheern,  reported  in  1891;  John  Ryan, 
March  18th,  1867;  Charles  Timon,  reported  in  1886;  George  H. 
Wellman,  March,  1880;  John  F.  Wellman.  reported  1876;  Isaac  A. 
Woodcock,  Feb.  16th,  1886;  Thomas  E.  Gurney,  Jan.  17th,  1892. 

Company  I.  —  Corp.  Charles  E.  Moore,  reported  in  1892;  James  B. 
Foster,  date  unknown;  Hugh  King  (59th  Mass.),  reported  Xov. 
10th,  1893;  Harvey  W.  Gould,  date  unknown ;  Edward  Carroll,  date 
unknown;  John  Crow  at  Boonville,  Mo.,  Aug.  1,  1879. 

Company  K. — Amasa  B.  Bemis,  reported  1883:  Isaac  G.  Maynard,  re 
ported  Aug.  8th,  1893;  Eugene  J.  Holyoke,  Sept.  14th,  1873;  Samuel 
H.  Holyoke,  date  unknown;  Henry  L.  Gill,  Oct.  3d,  1894. 

The  following  names  have  been  reported  at  reunions  without 
date  or  company,  viz.  :  D.  Shumway  and  E.  E.  Jordan.  They 
cannot  be  found  on  the  Adjutant-General's  Report,  and  it  is 
believed  they  are  intended  for  men  who  have  names  somewhat 
similar,  but  the  similarity  is  not  sufficiently  close  to  justify  the 
changing  of  them. 

The  complete  record  of  reunions  up  to  1885  are  very  im 
perfect,  in  very  many  cases  omitting  the  report  of  deaths.  There 
can,  therefore,  be  no  doubt  but  many  more  comrades  have  died 
than  are  reported  on  the  foregoing  lists;  men  who  were  brave  and 
faithful  soldiers  and  whose  honorable  records  merit  the  highest 
praise,  but  what  we  have  already  said  of  others  applies  to  all 
such.  A  reunited,  prosperous  and  peaceful  country  stands  as  an 
enduring  monument  "to  their  memory. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


STRAGGLERS. 

HERE  never  was  an  army  in  the  world,  on  a  long  and 
forced  march,  without  some  stragglers,  and  never  a 
book  written  where  stray  thoughts  and  items  of 
interest  did  not  knock  for  admission  after  the  doors 
had  been  closed.  We  are  no  exception  to  the  general 
rule.  We  have  had  numerous  little  incidents  related  to 
us  which  we  are  compelled  to  overlook  in  order  not  to 
exhaust  the  reader's  patience.  We  want  to  make  this  work  as 
complete  as  we  can  without  doing  so.  We  are  telling  our  story, 
not  alone  to  those  who  were  participants  in  the  scenes  we  have 
labored  to  portray,  but  that  those  who  follow  us  in  the  grand 
drama  of  life  may  read  of  what  their  sires  did  and  be  able  to  more 
fully  understand  and  appreciate,  not  only  what  they  accomplished, 
but  the  great  sacrifices  they  made,  for  the  preservation  of  our 
beloved  country  and  the  extinction  of  human  slavery.  Appre 
ciating  all  this  at  its  full  value,  we  believe,  as  we  pass  on 
into  the  silence  of  the  unseen  future  life,  our  record  will  stand  in 
honor  with  them,  that  they  will  zealously  guard  it,  and  be  willing 
to  brave  anything  and  do  all  in  their  power  for  the  protection, 
preservation  and  perpetuation  of  those  principles  which  were 
established  through  so  much  suffering  and  at  such  an  immense  cost 
of  human  lives  and  property  ;  to  them  we  leave  the  blessed  heri 
tage  of  a  free,  prosperous  and  united  country,  in  the  full  enjoy 
ment  of  that  peace  which  "  passeth  all  understanding." 

We  can  only  express  the  hope  that  it  will  never  require 
another  war  to  save  it  from  threatened  danger,  yet  its  destruction 
or  the  debasement  of  our  American  institutions  would  be  a  greater 
calamity  than  any  war  that  ever  cursed  the  face  of  the  earth. 


406 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Three  principles  enter  into  the  life  of  every  true  and  noble 
man  :  religion,  country  and  home.  The  three  are  inseparable ; 
one  taken  away  and  the  others  lose  their  value  and  significance. 
In  defence  of  them  a  man  should,  if  necessary,  be  willing  to  risk 
his  life,  for  death  would  be  preferable  to  life  without  them.  They 
embrace  all  the  imagination  can  conceive  of  the  virtues  and  purity 
of  the  human  race,  of  their  education,  elevation  and  refinement 
and  all  we  hope  for  in  the  future  as  well  as  in  this  life. 

We  cannot  close  these  pages  without  paying  a  well-deserved 
tribute  to  the  loyal  women  of  our  fair  land,  for  their  faithful 
devotion  to  the  cause  for  which  we  were  battling ;  for  their  loving 
encouragement  and  tender  nursing.  Their  tears  fell  like  the 
refreshing  dew  of  heaven,  to  comfort  and  bless  through  the  dark 
hours,  and  build  a  new  hope  as  a  silver  lining  to  stormy  clouds. 
Had  it  not  been  for  their  influence  the  war  would  not  have  termi 
nated  in  such  a  glorious  victory.  As  knights  of  old  bore  the 
image  of  some  fair  lady  to  battle,  so  did  soldiers  carry  the  love 
and  prayers  of  mothers,  sisters,  wives  and  sweethearts  through 
the  perils  of  four  long  years  of  bloody  war,  as  an  inspiration  to  a 
higher  sense  of  duty,  a  safeguard  for  the  preservation  of  individual 
honor  and  a  support  through  all  the  trying  ordeals.  Few,  very 
few  indeed,  who  buttoned  on  the  army  blue  and  buckled  on  the 
armor  that  did  not  feel  that  he  was  also  girded  about  by  the 
exalting  influence  of  some  noble  woman ;  their  deeds  of  loving 
kindness,  tearful  sympathy  and  silent  prayers  followed  us  always, 
even  to  the  end.  No  monument  stands  to  mark  their  patriotic 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  country,  yet  we  believe  that  it  stands 
recorded  upon  the  pages  of  that  great  book  kept  by  the  recording 
angel  u  unto  whom  all  hearts  are  open,  all  desires  known  and 
from  whom  no  secrets  are  hid." 

If  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  could  justly  rejoice  in  the  triumph 
of  our  cause  and  the  victory  won,  yet  the  Confederate  soldier, 
who  suffered  defeat,  shared  in  the  victory.  He,  too,  returned  to 
enjoy  the  blessings  of  a  united  country,  to  rest  in  security  under 
the  protection  of  just  and  beneficent  laws  and  to  be  again  clothed 
with  all  the  rights  of  citizenship  claimed  by  the  victor,  to  clasp 
hands  across  the  graves  of  tens  of  thousands  of  comrades,  who 


STRAGGLERS. 


40' 


had  fallen  OD  both  sides,  in  conscientious  devotion  to  what  both 
believed  to  be  a  duty.  When  men  seal  their  convictions  by  their 
life's  blood,  we  cannot  doubt  their  sincerity.  Over  thirty  years 
have  passed  on  their  course  since  the  last  tragic  event  sounded 
the  requiem  of  war,  each  in  succession  vindicating  our  cause ; 
not  through  its  triumph,  but  through  its  supreme  justice  and 
righteousness ;  and  acknowledged  by  all  the  civilized  nations  of 
the  world,  who  are  made  to  respect  our  flag  and  our  national 
honor,  as  they  never  would  had  a  dissolution  of  the  Union  been 
the  verdict.  When  we  reflect  what  the  consequences  would  have 
been  with  the  triumph  of  the  Confederate  cause,  we  shudder  in  con 
templation  of  all  the  endless  evils  that  would  have  befallen  both 
the  North  and  the  South.  Unfortunate  victims  of  one  dissolution 
they  would  have  fallen  helplessly  into  others,  until  the  federation 
of  States  would  have  had  no  more  strength  than  a  rope  of  sand, 
and  would  have  been  absorbed  by  some  ambitious  power  and 
again  brought  under  a  foreign  monarchy ;  the  fruits  of  the 
revolution  of  1776  and  the  rich  heritage  left  by  our  sires  would 
have  been  sold  for  far  less  than  a  mess  of  pottage. 

As  time  "  heals  all  wounds  save  those  of  love,"  so  has  it 
healed  the  ghastly  wounds  of  war  and  hidden  the  ugly  scars  under 
the  folds  of  the  same  dear  flag.  We  have  seen  the  storm  pass,  and 
trust  that  the  rainbow  which  follows  is  promise  of  a  permanent 
peace,  loyalty,  fraternity  and  prosperity. 

Among  the  many  incidents  related  around  the  campfires,  one 
of  surpassing  bravery  has  been  told  us,  which  is  vouched  for  on 
good  authority.  During  the  engagement  known  as  the  Weld  on 
Railroad,  while  the  Fifty-Seventh  was  under  command  of  1st 
Lieutenant  Doty,  it  was  posted  in  an  exposed  position  and  un 
supported.  1st  Sergt.  Edward  F.  Potter  of  Company  K  was 
posted  as  a  marker  on  the  left  of  the  regiment,  but  before  the 
line  could  be  established  a  terrible  assault  was  made  by  the 
enemy  and  the  regiment  driven  back,  but  the  sergeant 
remained  at  his  post  amidst  a  shower  of  leaden  bullets.  The 
right  general  guide  was  killed.  The  general  commanding  the 
division  rode  up  and  exclaimed  to  the  regimental  commander, 
"  What  in  h — 1  is  that  d d  fool  doing:  out  there?  Who  in 


408  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

is  he?"  To  which  the  regimental  commander  replied,  "That, 
sir,  is  my  left  general  guide,  posted  by  your  order,  which  he 
obeys."  The  general  then  said,  "  Doesn't  the  darned  fool  know 
enough  to  come  in?  "  The  reply  was  :  "  That  man  always  obeys 
orders  and  will  stand  there  until  shot,  unless  relieved  by  proper 
authority."  "  Well,  relieve  him  mighty  quick,"  said  the  general. 
The  next  morning  an  order  came  from  the  general  for  the 
sergeant  to  report  to  him  in  person.  He  reported  as  directed, 
but  with  many  misgivings  as  to  what  it  all  meant,  whether  it 
foreboded  good  or  evil  for  him.  He  finally  stood  trembling  in 
presence  of  the  general,  who  proceeded  to  take  the  chevrons 
denoting  the  rank  of  sergeant  from  his  arms,  but  in  place  of  them 
he  sent  him  back  to  the  regiment  wearing  the  straps  of  a  com 
missioned  officer,  which  he  wore  with  honor  until  the  regiment 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  several  of  the  officers  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  received  brevet  appointments  for  gallantry  displayed  in 
action,  which  is  shown  in  the  roster. 

Doctor  Whitman  V.  White,  formerly  surgeon  of  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  has  very  kindly  contributed  the  following  narrative 
description  of  the  first  steps  taken  to  organize  the  regiment, 
which  will  be  read  with  much  interest :  - 

DEAR  CAPTAIN  ANDERSON  : 

Your  letter,  asking  for  my  narrative  to  add  to  the  history  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh  Kegiment,  has  been  received.  I  have  long  felt  it  my  duty 
to  put  on  record  the  story  of  the  noble  and  heroic  deeds  of  so  many  of 
that  brave  regiment,  who  were  wounded,  killed  and  made  prisoners, 
under  my  personal  observation.  It  is  to  perpetuate  what  others  did  and 
suffered,  rather  than  to  relate  any  part  that  I  took  in  organizing  and 
preparing  the  regiment  for  the  field,  or  my  service  with  them,  that  I  give 
the  following  narrative  :  — 

My  connection  with  the  regiment  was  either  accidental  or  providen 
tial,  and  came  about  in  this  way.  In  1859,  I  was  surgeon  of  the  Massa 
chusetts  militia.  After  this  I  left  the  State  and  took  up  my  residence  in 
New  York  City.  In  1861,  I  was  surgeon  of  the  47th  New  York  Volun 
teers,  but  resigned  in  January,  1862,  and  entered  the  regular  service  as 
an  A. A.  surgeon.  In  February,  1862,  I  was  ordered  on  duty  at  Fort 
Columbus,  New  York  Harbor,  and  remained  there  on  duty  until  Novem 
ber,  1868.  At  Department  Headquarters  of  the  East,  New  York  City,  I 


STRAGGLERS. 


409 


met  Surgeon-General  Dale  of  Massachusetts,  who  said,  "  If  you  will 
accept  the  surgeoncy  of  one  of  your  own  State's  regiments,  I  am 
authorized  by  Governor  Andrew  to  tender  it  to  you."  I  have  no  doubt 
that  this  was  suggested  from  the  fact  that  my  name  was  on  the  roll  of 
the  medical  officers  of  the  Massachusetts  State  militia.  The  General 
said  to  me,  "  You  should  not  allow  the  war  to  go  over  without  going  into 
service  with  your  own  State  troops."  I  accepted  the  offer,  and  in  three 
days  was  requested  by  wire  to  report  at  his  office  in  Boston  to  meet 
Colonel  Bartlett.  I  can  never  forget  the  interview.  The  Colonel  on  his 
crutches,  the  larger  part  of  one  limb  gone,  his  shattered  arm  resting  in  a 
wooden  case,  that  had  been  beautifully  embellished  by  some  loving  hand. 
I  expressed  my  surprise  that  one  who  had  been  wounded  so  many  times, 
would  consent  to  go  to  the  field  again.  He  said  he  thought  he  was  able 
to  do  so.  I  replied  that  it  was  not  a  question  of  ability,  but  one  of 
further  sacrifice  on  his  part.  This  was  the  commencement  of  the 
formation  of  a  regiment,  which,  by  official  recognition,  is  known  as  the 
fourth  in  the  War  Department.  Of  all  the  regiments  from  all  the  States, 
both  North  and  South,  it  lost  in  battle  the  greatest  number  of  men  in  the 
shortest  time.  There  is  an  error  in  placing  us  fourth;  we  should  have 
had  the  third  if  not  the  second  place.  The  manner  in  which  we  lost 
our  men,  places  us  as  one  of  the  most  gallant  regiments  ever  in  the 
service. 

I  was  immediately  commissioned  surgeon  and  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  ordered  to 
report  for  duty  at  Camp  Wool,  Worcester.  There  I  found  only  one 
company  partially  organized,  and  that  the  camp  was  the  rendezvous  for 
the  last  quota  of  men  which  the  State  Avas  called  upon  to  furnish.  In 
January,  from  the  men  who  were  sent  to  the  camp  unassigned,  I  selected 
the  best  for  our  regiment.  The  colonel  ordered  me  to  visit  the  western 
part  of  the  State  in  the  interests  of  the  regiment,  and  gave  me  permission 
to  offer  Capt.  Edson  Dresser,  whom  I  suggested,  a  commission,  if  he 
wTould  bring  with  him  a  certain  number  of  men.  Edson  Dresser  was  at 
this  time  a  member  of  the  junior  class  of  Williams  College.  By  request 
he  called  upon  me  at  my  home,  and  we  made  our  plans  in  order  to 
comply  with  Colonel  Bartlett's  offer.  Our  town  had  already  filled  two 
calls,  but  this,  the  third  call,  was  not  filled  until  Captain  Dresser  and  I 
made  an  appeal  to  those  who  were  suitable  to  go. 

In  less  than  two  weeks  Captain  Dresser  reported  to  the  camp  with 
his  men,  whose  names  were :  John  Crosby,  Henry  and  George  May, 
William  and  Charles  Rathborn,  James  Vocell,  Jacob  Kirby,  Charles  Jones, 
George  Schaffer,  X.  Peepoon,  Henry,  Frank  and  Wilbur  Bills,  Alouzo 
Collins  and  John  O'Neil.  Captain  Dresser  and  most  of  the  non-commis 
sioned  officers  of  his  company,  were  from  Stockbridge  or  its  vicinity, 
consequently  it  was  known  as  the  company  from  Stockbridge,  as  was  the 


410 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


custom  in  regard  to  other  companies  of  the  regiment.  The  officers  and 
nucleus  of  Company  F  came  from  Fitchburg,  and  this  company  was 
known  as  the  Fitchburg  company.  Captain  Gird,  who  was  studying 
divinity,  and  many  of  his  men,  carne  from  Andover,  so  that  this  was 
known  as  the  Andover  company.  Captain  Hollis  was  from  Lynn. 

We  induced  the  colonel  to  give  our  minister,  the  Rev.  A.  H  Dashiell, 
the  commission  of  chaplain.  I  also  appointed  Charles  E  Heath  an 
assistant  surgeon.  The  weeks  of  January  and  February  were  spent  in 
organizing  and  recruiting  the  regiment  for  the  field.  We  were  known  as 
the  Fifty-Seventh  Veteran  Volunteers,  and  with  one  or  two  exceptions, 
there  was  no  officer  commissioned  who  had  not  been  in  the  field.  In  1862, 
while  in  the  regular  service,  I  had  met  the  1st  Massachusetts,  which  was 
a  two-years'  regiment.  Among  the  officers  of  this  gallant  regiment  I  had 
made  the  acquaintance  of  Lieutenant  Doherty,  who  had  won  an  enviable 
reputation  for  his  coolness  and  gallantry  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
and  Colonel  Bartlett  gave  me  permission  to  offer  him  a  commission  as 
captain. 

Among  the  incidents  which  occurred  during  the  formation  of  this 
regiment,  which  I  recall  to  mind  at  this  moment,  was  the  enlistment  of 
George  White.  While  making  my  rounds  in  camp  one  afternoon,  an 
elderly  man,  accompanied  by  a  woman  and  a  boy,  evidently  husband,  wife 
and  child,  came  in.  I  saw  that  the  woman  was  weeping,  and  so  went  to 
her  and  said,  "  My  good  woman,  what  is  the  matter?"  She  answered, 
"  Our  boy  wants  to  go  to  the  war."  The  father  said,  "  I  am  too  old  to 
go  myself,  but  I  have  given  my  boy  permission  to  go."  The  mother  then 
continued,  "I  wanted  to  see  the  men  that  he  is  going  with,  and  see  some 
officer  and  tell  him  what  a  good  boy  George  has  always  been,  and  I  want 
that  they  should  look  after  him."  I  immediately  replied  that  the  boy  was 
a  little  undersized  and  quite  young,  but  that  he  had  a  good  face,  and  I 
would  have  him  enlisted  and  detailed  as  my  orderly.  This  Avas  done. 
Afterwards,  when  we  were  in  the  field,  he  took  care  of  my  horse,  and 
was,  in  short,  my  factotum.  In  all  the  vicissitudes  of  the  marches  and 
battles  to  Petersburg,  George  was  not  only  of  great  service  to  me  per 
sonally,  but  also  assisted  in  caring  for  the  wounded  at  the  field  hospital. 
In  August,  he  was  smitten  with  typhus  or  camp  fever.  While  he  was  in 
this  condition,  an  order  came  from  corps  headquarters  to  send  every  sick 
man  to  the  rear,  as  there  was  a  prospect  of  an  engagement,  and  all  the  ac 
commodations  at  the  hospital  were  needed  for  the  wounded.  I  was  so 
strongly  attached  to  George,  he  had  been  so  faithful,  that  I  had  a  shelter 
tent  put  up  just  outside  my  own  for  him.  A  rubber  blanket  placed  on  the 
ground  and  covered  with  straw  was  the  improvised  bed  made  for  him. 
A  man,  acting  as  nurse,  was  detailed  to  look  after  him.  In  the  delirium 
which  so  often  accompanies  this  fever,  the  patient  would  crawl  out  of 
the  tent  on  his  hands  and  knees.  The  nurse  would  pull  him  back,  and 


STRAGGLERS.  41 1 

sit  on  the  ground  beside  him  until  he  fell  asleep.  He  made  a  good 
recovery,  and  served  faithfully  until  the  end  of  the  war.  I  can  say  of 
him  as  his  mother  said,  that  "  he  was  a  good  boy."  Ma}'  I  also  add  now 
that  he  is  a  multi-millionaire  and  a  member  of  Congress. 

There  was  another  incident  which  illustrates  so  forcibly  the  effect 
of  kindness  that  I  must  repeat  it  here.  During  a  Sunday  morning  in 
spection,  while  going  into  every  nook  and  corner,  with  the  officer  of  the 
day  and  the  commandant,  in  the  guardhouse  I  found  a  young  boy  with 
a  log  of  wTood  chained  to  his  ankle.  He  had  been  a  prisoner  for  several 
days,  and  had  been  obliged  to  do  police  duty  about  camp,  sweeping 
and  sawing  wood,  such  as  is  clone  by  the  prisoners.  From  his  appear 
ance,  I  thought  that  his  punishment  was  too  severe,  and  so  I  turned  to  the 
officer  of  the  day,  and  said,  "  I  want  this  log  of  wood  taken  off  and  the 
boy  sent  to  his  quarters  under  guard."  I  was  told  that  he  had  been  very 
bad  and  deserved  his  punishment,  as  he  had,  on  one  or  two  occasions, 
attempted  to  desert.  My  suggestion  in  regard  to  the  boy  was  carried 
out.  On  the  next  Sunday  inspection  of  the  guardhouse,  I  was  told  by 
the  officer  of  the  day  that  the  prisoner  I  had  ordered  released  had  deserted. 
The  captain  of  the  company  said  that  he  would  bring  him  back  to  camp, 
if  it  cost  him  a  thousand  dollars. 

Upon  inspection,  two  weeks  subsequently,  I  found  the  boy  in  the 
guardhouse,  handcuffed,  and  shackles  upon  his  legs.  He  was  not  allowed 
to  leave  the  place,  and  was  obliged  to  sleep  on  the  floor,  with  nothing 
but  a  blanket  under  him  and  a  single  blanket  over  him.  I  immediately 
ordered  him  to  the  hospital.  In  the  absence  of  Colonel  Bartlett,  Major 
Cashing  was  in  command.  He  sent  for  me  to  report  to  him,  and  when  I 
arrived  said,  "  I  learn  that  you  have  ordered  this  boy  Clark  to  the  hospi 
tal,  but  I  shall  not  send  him  unless  you  will  be  responsible  for  his  safe 
keeping."  ''You  will  send  him,"  I  replied,  "and  as  I  do  not  keep  this 
camp,  you  cannot  hold  me  responsible,  but  if  he  is  not  sent  immediately, 
I  will  prefer  charges  against  you."  In  the  afternoon  I  visited  the  hospi 
tal  to  see  if  the  boy  were  there.  I  found  him  in  the  centre  of  the  ward, 
on  a  bed,  with  a  sentinel  posted  at  the  foot.  Not  seeing  his  clothing  on 
a  chair,  as  was  customary,  I  inquired  of  the  orderly  where  it  was,  and 
was  informed  that  Major  Gushing  had  ordered  him  to  lock  the  clothing 
up.  I  sent  the  guard  away,  and  told  the  orderly  to  bring  Clark's  clothes 
and  put  them  on  the  chair  beside  him,  just  as  was  done  for  all  inmates 
of  the  hospital.  I  then  sat  down  beside  him,  and  taking  his  hand  said. 
"  James,  you  have  had  a  hard  time."  I  had  learned  that  his  father  and 
mother  had  thought  him  incorrigible,  and  had  therefore  placed  him  in  a 
reformatory  at  AVestborough,  from  where  he  had  enlisted.  The  super 
intendent  of  the  reform  school  said  he  was  glad  to  get  rid  of  the  worst 
boy  he  had.  I  sent  for  a  bowl  of  mutton  broth,  and  sitting  beside  him 
while  he  ate  it,  said,  l'  I  know  that  you  have  had  a  hard  time,  and  have 


412  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

been  neglected  and  punished  and  often  imposed  upon,  but  I  am  going  to 
be  your  friend  if  yon  will  only  do  right,  and  if  you  have  any  complaints 
to  make,  come  to  me  and  I  will  help  you."  As  he  looked  up  at  me  with 
a  pleasant,  trusting  expression,  I  felt  sure  that  my  efforts  had  not  been 
in  vain,  and  that  I  had  made  an  impression  upon  this  little  villain. 

He  soon  recovered  from  his  typhoid  condition,  went  back  to  his 
company,  and  was  not  again  seen  in  the  guardhouse  while  we  were  in 
the  State.  When  we  were  in  Annapolis,  he  was  with  us,  and  marched 
from  Annapolis  to  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  where  he  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  On  the  12th  of  May,  at  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania, 
our  army  was  devastated,  and  among  the  wounded  was  this  boy.  He 
came  to  me,  and  I  found  that  the  ball  had  passed  through  the  top  of  his 
shoulder,  carrying  away  the  middle  portion  of  the  collar  bone,  and  mak 
ing  its  exit  at  the  top  of  the  shoulder  blade.  With  his  eye  bright  with 
satisfaction  he  said  to  me,  "  Doctor,  I  have  stood  all  the  marches,  and 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  this  is  the  first  time  that  I  have  been 
to  the  rear."  I  said,  "  I  knew  there  was  something  good  in  you,  and 
you  have  shown  it,  for  you  have  acted  nobly.  You  have  your  wound, 
but  it  is  not  a  serious  one.  It  is  a  wound  that  you  will  be  proud  to  go 
home  and  show  to  those  who  thought  you  were  worthless,  and  you  will 
carry  it  as  a  mark  of  heroism  and  patriotism  through  your  whole  life." 

WHITMAN   V.  WHITE, 
Late  Surgeon  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers. 

Before  closing  we  desire  to  mention  the  great  difficulty  that 
we  have  experienced  in  obtaining  a  roster,  corrected  to  date. 
This  difficulty  has  been  greatly  augmented  by  the  consolidation  of 
the  59th  Massachusetts  with  the  Fifty- Seventh,  just  prior  to  the 
final  muster-out.  This  added  about  fifteen  officers  and  nearly 
four  hundred  and  fifty  enlisted  men,  whose  previous  records  are 
unknown  to  us,  save  that  the  59th  was  brigaded  with  the  Fifty- 
Seventh  and  was  known  to  be  a  good  regiment.  It  had  passed 
through  the  same  campaign  with  the  Fifty- Seventh,  but  did  not 
sustain  so  heavy  a  battle  loss.  As  has  been  shown  on  previous 
pages,  the  attempt  to  form  the  regimental  associations  and  hold 
the  reunions  of  both  regiments  as  one,  did  not  meet  with  success, 
hence  we  know  comparatively  little  of  those  who  formerly 
belonged  to  the  59th  since  their  muster  out  of  the  service ; 
furthermore,  we  are  unable  to  supply  this  lack  of  information  and 
are  forced  to  stand  only  upon  such  records  of  the  59th  as  are  on 
file  in  the  office  of  the  Adjutant-General,  State  of  Massachusetts. 


STRAGGLERS. 


413 


Iii  our  researches  through  that  office  we  are  indebted  to  the 
courtesy  of  Col.  Wm.  C.  Capelle,  Assistant  Adjutant-General, 
and  Capt.  Warren  B.  Galucia,  who  was  formerly  a  gallant  officer 
iu  the  56th  Massachusetts. 

To  our  old  comrades  of  the  Fifty-Seventh,  who  are  anxiously 
looking  for  a  history  of  the  old  regiment,  one  that  they  can  read 
with  pleasure,  and  with  pride  hand  down  to  their  children,  we 
have  only  to  say  that  we  may  not  have  met  your  fullest  expecta 
tions,  yet  we  have  labored  faithfully  and  earnestly  to  portray  the 
thrilling  events  with  which  you  were  associated,  and  have  con 
stantly  aimed  at  the  truth.  If  we  have  failed  in  this  it  has  not 
been  intentional.  We  have  endeavored  to  place  the  Fifty-Seventh 
truthfully  upon  history,  alongside  of  other  gallant  regiments 
whose  records  are  an  honor  to  the  old  Commonwealth  that 
sent  them  forth  to  battle  for  the  life  of  the  general  govern 
ment. 

If  injustice  has  been  done  in  any  case,  it,  also,  has  been 
unintentional,  as  we  have  been  actuated  only  by  those  hallowed 
sentiments  of  fraternity,  charity  and  loyalty,  to  which  every  true 
soldier,  who  wore  the  Federal  blue,  is  solemnly  pledged. 

As  year  by  year  we  continue  to  gather  in  reunion  upon  the 
shores  of  time,  we  sadly  note  one  comrade  after  another  borne 
out  upon  the  receding  tide  of  life  into  the  great  and  silent  ocean 
of  eternity,  and  thus,  as  our  circle  narrows,  we  grasp  more 
firmly  the  hands  that  yet  remain,  and  while  waiting  the  summons 
that  will  soon  come  to  us  all,  our  hearts  join  with  a  deeper  pathos 
in  the  sweet  melody  of  auld  lang  syne,  for 

"  We've  stood  on  many  a  battlefield, 

In  firm  unbroken  line; 
And  faced  the  foe  and  scorned  to  yield, 

In  days  of  anld  lang  syne. 
And,  tkougii  those  days  are  with  the  past, 

On  history's  page  they  shine ; 
We  builclecl  well,  a  work  to  last, 

In  days  of  auld  lang  syne. 

We'll  stand  together  now,  as  then, 

Linked  in  a  three-fold  tie ; 
We're  comrades  now,  as  well  as  when 

We  dared  to  do  or  die. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Fraternity  our  watchword  now 

And  charity  our  aim, 
We  mustered  then,  we  muster  now 

By  loyalty's  bright  flame. 

And,  as  the  days  go  passing  by, 

And  weaker  grows  our  line, 
We'll  keep  together  till  we  die, 

For  days  of  auld  lang  syne. 
And,  when  we  muster  where  the  days 

Of  endless  glories  shine, 
A  brighter  glory  then  will  blaze 

Round  days  of  auld  lang  syne." 

NOTE.  — The  above  poem  is  published  by  special  permission  of  the  author, 
Comrade  James  Beals,  formerly  of  G.A.R.  Post  68,  Department  of  Massachusetts,  to 
whom  we  wish  to  return  our  grateful  acknowledgments. 


Iii  submitting  the  roster  to  our  comrades,  we  feel  it  a  duty, 
which  we  owe  to  ourselves,  to  call  attention  to  the  great  labor  we 
have  expended  in  our  efforts  to  make  it  correct  and  complete  to 
date.  This  work  has  been  greater  than  all  the  rest  of  the  history. 
The  following  correspondence  only  partially  explains  the  matter. 
We  have  obtained  all  the  information  on  file  in  the  office  of  the 
Adjutant-General  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  and 
have  corresponded  extensively  with  individual  officers  and  men. 
Adjt.-Gen.  H.  O.  Moore,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Depart 
ment  of  Massachusetts,  also,  in  a  circular  addressed  to  all  G.A.R. 
posts  within  the  limits  of  his  Department,  asked  for  information 
that  might  be  of  assistance  to  us,  for  which  courtesy  we  desire  to 
express  our  sincere  thanks. 

That  we  have  succeeded  in  most  cases  gives  some  satisfac 
tion  ;  but  that  we  have  not  accomplished  the  full  purpose  is  a 
source  of  regret.  Very  many  of  the  enlisted  men  had  seen  honor 
able  service  in  the  army  prior  to  their  enlistment  in  the  Fifty- 
Seventh,  but  we  have  been  unable  to  obtain  such  records,  with 
few  exceptions. 

The  many  obstacles,  which  have  stood  in  the  way  of  a  per 
fect  roster,  have  delayed  the  publication  of  the  History  several 
months.  As  presented  now  it  is  as  complete  and  correct  as  we 


STRAGGLERS. 


415 


are  able  to  make  it.  Iii  the  spelling  of  names  we  have  been  gov 
erned  by  the  way  the  men  have  signed  them  upon  the  rolls.  In 
case  of  professional  deserters,  of  which  the  Fifty-Seventh  had  its 
share,  their  names,  no  doubt,  were  assumed. 

We  glance  down  the  long  list,  and  hear  the  familiar  names 
through  the  faintly  lingering  echo  of  taps,  and  see  the  flickering 
lights  go  out  in  rapid  succession,  as  one  comrade  after  another 
sinks  to  rest  under  the  protecting  folds  of  the  flag  he  loved  so 
well,  while  the  remaining  fragments  of  that  once  proud  line  of 
blue,  known  as  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
stand  in  the  deepening  twilight  of  mortal  life,  holding  themselves 
in  readiness  to  surrender  to  that  one  enemy  before  whom,  sooner 
or  later,  we  must  all  bow,  yet  with  an  imperishable  hope  that 
this  will  but  open  the  way  to  a  more  glorious  and  enduring  vic 
tory,  the  trophies  of  which  will  be  an  immortal  life  of  rest  and 
peace. 

We  have  gathered  records  of  the  past  in  the  dim  light  which 
reveals  but  little  of  the  magnitude  of  our  great  struggle  to  save 
the  nation's  life ;  our  work  is  only  a  fading  wreath  to  the  memory 
of  brave  men  whose  deeds  of  valor  will  leave  a  lingering  influence 
upon  the  people  of  our  country  through  ages  yet  to  come. 

In  preparing  the  roster  of  officers  we  wish  to  express  our 
indebtedness  to  Col.  T.  W.  Higginson  for  much  information 
gleaned  from  his  valuable  work,  "  Massachusetts  in  the  Army 
and  Navy  During  the  War  of  1861-65,"  and  to  Hon.  W.  M. 
Olin,  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  for  his  devoted  friendship, 
patient  and  zealous  efforts  in  assisting  us  to  obtain  information, 
and  to  many  others  whose  names  are  not  mentioned,  we  wish  to 
express  our  appreciation  for  the  encouragement  they  have  given 
in  various  ways.  May  the  good  they  have  done  live  after  them. 


416  FIFTY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT  MASS.  VOLUNTEERS. 

[COPY.] 

BBLCHERTOWN,  MASS.,  Jan.  2cl,  1800. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL, 

Common  wealth  of  Massachusetts,  Boston,  Mass. 
,S7>* :  I  respectfully  beg  to  submit  that  in  preparing  a  Roster  of  the 
Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  corrected  to  date,  as 
required  by  a  recent  act  of  the  General  Court,  I  have,  through  your 
courtesy,  completed  the  same,  as  far  as  the  records  of  your  office  enable 
me  to  do,  but  many  records  are  still  left  incomplete  for  lack  of  informa 
tion  from  the  War  Department.  These  were  to  have  been  asked  for, 
from  time  to  time,  by  you.  Several  have  already  been  received,  but  most 
of  them  are  still  lacking,  To  enable  me  to  anticipate  the  probable  time 
that  I  can  publish  the  history  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Regiment,  I  have  the 
honor  to  request  to  be  informed  when,  in  your  opinion,  the  information 
which  I  lack  can  be  obtained  from  the  War  Department.  This  will 
greatly  oblige, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  ANDERSON, 

Captain  U.S.  Army,  Historian  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers. 


COMMONWEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS, 


NTWEALTH    OF    MASSACHUSETTS,   | 

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  [• 
BOSTON,  Jan.  4th,  1800.      J 


Capt.  JOHN  ANDERSON,  U.S.A., 

Belchertown,  Mass. 

Captain :  Replying  to  your  communication  of  the  2d  instant,  you 
are  informed  that,  owing  to  the  orders  and  instructions  of  the  Honorable 
Secretary  of  War,  Colonel  Ains worth,  in  charge  of  the  record  division 
of  the  War  Department,  declines  to  furnish  to  the  States  any  informa 
tion  which  may  be  made  the  basis  of  a  claim  against  the  general 
government,  for  the  completion  of  State  records,  or  for  historical 
purposes. 

Therefore,  until  we  can,  in  some  way,  overcome  the  objection,  you 
must  be  patient.  I  am  sorry  that  your  work  should  be  interrupted,  but 
the  large  number  of  applications  for  the  service  records  of  men  of  your 
regiment,  led  the  Record  Office  to  surmise  that  the  requirement  was  for 
the  completion  of  records. 

It  wrill  take  a  little  time  to  get  back  the  routine  which  for  the 
present  is  restricted. 

Very  respectfully,  WM.  C.  CAPELLE, 

Assistant  Adjutant-Genera! . 


STRAGGLERS. 


417 


[COPY] 

BELCHERTOWN,  MASS.,  Jan.  6th,  1896. 

The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL, 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  Boston,  Mass. 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of 
the  4th  inst.,  in  relation  to  the  subject  of  incomplete  records  of  men  of 
the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  wish  to  express  my 
thanks  for  your  kindness  and  courtesy  in  the  matter.  I  fear  the  object 
which  I  have  in  view  is  not  understood,  and  therefore  beg  to  submit,  for 
the  information  of  the  War  Department,  that  I  am  not  interested  in  any 
way,  or  doing  anything,  with  a  view  of  establishing  a  basis  for  making 
claims  against  the  government.  My  only  object  in  endeavoring  to 
obtain  information,  is  for  historical  purposes. 

I  recognize  the  necessity  of  all  officers  protecting  the  government 
against  fraudulent  claims,  and  I  do  not  ask  anything  that  is  not  considered 
proper  for  me  to  publish  in  history,  and  it  does  not  appear  to  me  that 
information  which  would  lead  to  a  correct  record  of  men  who  served  the 
government  during  the  war,  could  be  the  means  of  evil  results  now. 

It  is  not  within  my  province  to  question  or  criticise  the  acts  of  the 
War  Department.  I  simply  seek  to  place  myself  on  record  that  my  true 
purpose  may  be  known ;  when  understood,  I  trust  my  honorable  motives 
will  meet  with  approval,  and  such  facilities  furnished  as  will  enable  me 
to  make  a  correct  roster.  If,  after  this,  I  am  advised  that  the  decision 
of  the  War  Department  is  the  ultimatum  which  will  not  be  reconsidered, 
then  I  will  submit  the  history  in  its  present  condition,  and  trust  that, 
under  the  circumstances,  which  are  beyond  my  control,  it  will  be 
accepted  as  the  best  I  can  possibly  do,  and  the  fact  recognized  that 
it  contains  all  available  information.  If  not  accepted,  I  fear  the 
history  of  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  Regiment  will  never  be 
written. 

I  would  like  such  advice  as  will  definitely  guide  me  in  the  matter, 
and  as  a  voucher  for  records  that  are  now  shown  as  incomplete. 

I  submit  the  whole  subject  to  your  discretion  and  good  judgment, 
and  will  cheerfully  abide  by  the  same. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  ANDERSON, 

Captain  U.S.  Army,  Historian  Fifty- Seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers. 


418 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


'M 
E'f 

G.J 


COMMONWEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS, 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 
BOSTON,  Jan.  8th,  189G. 
Capt.  JOHN  ANDERSON,  U.S.A., 

Belchertown,  Mass. 

Dear  Captain :  In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  6th  instant, 
you  are  informed  that  the  matter  is  one  affecting  the  States  directly. 
You  are  not  known  to  the  War  Department  in  this.  It  is  the  decision  of 
the  War  Department,  made  last  April,  that  they  will  not  furnish  evidence 
to  complete  the  records  of  the  States,  or  for  historical  purpose,  or  as 
the  basis  for  claims,  and  it  affects  the  State  Historian. 

If  we  should  refer  your  communication  to  the  War  Department,  it 
would  further  clinch  the  purpose  of  the  government  and  result  in  still 
further  obstacle  to  us.  Your  honor  or  the  good  faith  of  this  office  is  not 
questioned ;  it  is  the  rule  of  the  Secretary  of  War  which  is  being 
enforced. 

We  fear  we  may  have  recourse  to  Congress  for  relief.  It  does  not 
affect  Massachusetts  alone,  but  all  the  States  having  incomplete  records. 

Very  respectfully, 

WM.  C.  CAPELLE, 
Assistant  Adjutant- General* 


ROSTKR 


OF    THE 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    MASSACHUSETTS 
VOLUNTEERS. 


The  residence  as  given  in  the  Roster  does  not  in  every  case  indicate 
actual  residence,  but  the  town  or  city  to  which  the  enlistment  was  credited. 

The  date  of  master  into  the  United  States  service  is  given  instead  of  date 
of  enlistment,  as  the  former  was  more  easily  obtained,  less  liable  to  error  and 
shows  date  of  acceptance  into  the  United  States  Volunteer  Army. 


OFFICERS. 

WILLIAM  F.  BARTLETT,  Colonel,  residence,  Boston.  Born  at  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  June  6,  1840  Private  4th  Battalion,  Mass.  Vol.  Infantry,  April 
14,  18G1  ;  Captain  20th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  10,  1861;  wounded  and 
lost  a  leg,  April  24,  1862,  in  action  before  Yorktown,  Va  ;  mustered  out 
Nov.  12,  1862;  Colonel  49th  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov.  19,  1862  (wounded  in 
attack  on  Fort  Hudson,  La.):  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service, 
Sept.  1,  1863;  Colonel  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  17,  1863  (wounded  in 
battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.)  ;  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  June  27, 
1864 ;  Brevet  Major-General  of  Volunteers,  March  13,  1865,  for  gallant 
and  meritorious  services  during  the  war  —  General  Orders  148,  Oct.  14, 

1865,  and  General  Orders  H5  of  June  22,   1867:    mustered  out  Oct.  18, 

1866.  Died  at  Pittstield,  Mass.,  Dec.  17,  1876. 

NAPOLEON  B.  McLAUGHLEN,  Colonel.  Born  in  Vermont,  Dec.  8, 
1823.  Military  record  in  volunteer  service  :  Colonel  1st  Mass.  Infantry, 
Oct.  1.  1862;  honorably  mustered  out  May  28,  1864;  Colonel  57th  Mass. 
Infantry,  Sept.  14,  1864;  Brigadier-General  by  brevet,  Sept.  30,  1864,  for 
gallant  and  distinguished  services  at  Poplar  Grove  Church,  Va. ;  mustered 
out  cf  volunteer  service  Aug.  10,  1865.  Record  in  regular  army  :  Private, 
Corporal  and  Sergeant  Co.  F,  2d  Dragoons  and  General  Mounted  Service, 
May  27,  1850,  to  April  28,  1859;  2d  Lieutenant  Isr,  Cavalry,  March  27, 
1861;  1st  Lieutenant  4th  Cavalry,  May  3,  1861;  Captain  4th  Cavalry, 
July  17,  1862  ;  Major  10th  Cavalry,  May  17,  1876  ;  Major  by  brevet,  May  3, 
1863,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  battle  of  Chancellors ville, 
Va. :  Lieutenant-Colonel  by  brevet,  July  2,  1863,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa. ;  Colonel  by  brevet,  March  13, 
1865,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  during  the  assault  on  Fort 
Stedman,  Va. ;  Brigadier-General  by  brevet,  March  13,  1865,  for  gallant 
and  meritorious  services  in  the  rield  during  the  war ;  retired  from  active 
service  at  his  own  request  June  26,  1882.  Died  at  Middletown,  N.Y., 
Jan.  27,  1887. 


420  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


EDWARD  P.  HOLLISTER,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  age  27;  residence  Pitts- 
field;  appointed  Dec.  21,  1863.  Private  7th  N.Y.  Militia,  April  26,  1861; 
mustered  out  June  3,  1861;  Captain  31st  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov  20,  1861; 
Lieutenant-Colonel  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Dec.  21,  1862;  mustered  Feb. 
15,  1864,  resigned  April  16,  1864.  Recent  address,  528  Delaware  Ave., 
Buffalo,  N.Y 

CHARLES  L.  CHANDLER,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  residence,  Brookline. 
2d  Lieutenant  1st  Mass.  Infantry,  May  25,  1861;  1st  Lieutenant,  March 
21,  1862;  Captain  34th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  6,  1862;  Lieutenant-Colonel 
40th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  24,  1864,  not  mustered;  Lieutenant-Colonel 
57th  Mass.  Infantry,  April  20,  1864;  killed  in  battle  of  North  Anna 
River,  Va.,  May  24,  1864. 

JULIUS  M.  TUCKER,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  age  23;  residence,  Worcester; 
appointed  June  15,  1864.  Enlisted  as  private  in  Co.  A,  25th  Mass., 
Sept.  16,  1861,  discharged  for  promotion;  2d  Lieutenant  36th  Mass., 
Aug.  8,  1862,  resigned  July  29,  1863;  1st  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.,  Jan. 
1,  1864;  Captain,  Jan.  6,  1864;  Major,  June  14,  1864;  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  June  15,  1864;  Brevet-Colonel  U.S.  Volunteers,  March  13,  1865, 
for  gallant  and  meritorious  services — General  Orders  65,  A.G.O.,  June 
27,  1867;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Died  in 
Boston,  June  22,  1866. 

JAMES  W.  GUSHING,  Major,  age  38;  residence,  Roxbury.  1st  Lieutenant 
31st  Mass.  Infantry,  Feb.  207  1862;  Major  57th  Mass.,  Jan.  27,  1864; 
resigned  May  26,  1864.  Record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

ALBERT  PRESCOTT,  Major,  age  34;  residence,  Chaiiestown.  1st  Sergeant 
Co.  K,  M.V.M.  (three  months),  April  19  to  July  31,  1861;  1st  Sergeant 
Co.  B,  36th  Mass.,  July  30,  1862;  Captain  Co.  B,  36th  Mass.,  Aug.  28, 
1862;  resigned  April  29,  1863;  Captain  57th  Mass.,  March  2,  1864;  Major 
57th  Mass.,  June  15,  1864;  killed  in  battle  (crater,  Va.)  July  30,  1864. 

JAMES  DOHERTY,  Major,  residence,  Boston.  Sergeant  1st  Mass.  Infantry, 
May  23,  1861;  2d  Lieutenant,  Sept.  9,  1862;  resigned  Jan.  27,  1864; 
Captain  57th  Mass.,  March  17,  1864;  Major,  July  31,  1864,  not  mustered; 
Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel  U.S.  Volunteers,  March  25,  1865,  for  gal 
lantry  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Stedman,  Va  — General  Orders  No.  133, 
Aug.  22,  1865.  Died  March  26,  1865,  of  wounds  received  in  the  battle 
of  Fort  Steadman,  Va. 

EZRA  P.  GOULD,  Major,  residence,  Cambridge.  Private  24th  Mass.  In 
fantry,  Oct.  18,  1861;  2d  Lieutenant  55th  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  15,  1863; 
Captain  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  22,  1864;  Major,  Aug.  20,  1864; 
transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  ex 
piration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Present  residence,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

WHITMAN  V.  WHITE,  Surgeon,  age  28 ;  residence,  Stockbridge.  Surgeon 
with  rank  of  Major,  27th  N.Y.  Infantry,  Sept.  14,  1861;  resigned  Dec. 
31,  1861.  Major  and  Surgeon  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Dec.  5,  1863; 
mustered  out,  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Present  address, 
No.  114  East  85th  St.,  New  York  City. 


ROSTER —  OFFICERS. 


421 


CHARLES  E.  HEATH,  Assistant-Surgeon  (rank  of  1st  Lieutenant),  age 
32;  residence,  Monterey.  Appointed  Jan.  13,  1864.  Discharged  Nov.  22, 

1864,  per  order  War  Department,    A.G.O.,   Washington,  Jan.  28,   1865. 
Died  at  Lee,  Mass.,  Oct.  5,  1887. 

CHARLES  O.  CARPENTER,  Assistant-Surgeon  (rank  of  1st  Lieutenant), 
age  26;  residence,  Holyoke.  Appointed  May  6,  1864;  discharged  for 
disability  Jan.  30,  1865;  Previous  service,  as  Assistant-Surgeon  U.S. 
Navy;  appointed  July  30,  1861;  resigned  May  27,  1863.  Service  on 
board  the  Ottawa  in  South  Atlantic  Squadron.  At  present  date,  prac 
ticing  physician  in  Holyoke,  Mass. 

DAVID  S.  CLARK,  Assistant-Surgeon  (rank  of  1st  Lieutenant)  ;  residence, 
Derry,  N.H.  Appointed  in  59th  Mass.,  March  20,  1865;  transferred  to 
57th  Mass,  by  consolidation ;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service, 
July  30,  1865.  Residence  since,  unknown. 

MICHAEL  F.  GARVIN,  Assistant-Surgeon  (rank  of  1st  Lieutenant),  age 
23;  residence,  Boston.  Appointed  May  5,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expira 
tion  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Residence  since,  unknown. 

ALFRED  H.  DASHIELL,  Jr.,  Chaplain,  age  40;  residence,  Stockbridge. 
Appointed  April  14,  1864;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30, 

1865.  Present  residence,  Lakewood,  N.J.     Degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
conferred  by  Rutherford  College,  North  Carolina,  June  15,  1891. 

JOHN  W.  SANDERSON,  Captain,  age  32;  residence,  Westboro.  Private 
51st  Mass.  Sept.  25,  1862;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  2,  1862;  mustered  out 
July  27,  1863;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  21,  1863; 
Captain,  Dec.  26,  1863.  Discharged  for  disability  (on  account  of 
wounds)  Nov.  10,  1864,  per  Special  Orders  395,  War  Department,  Nov. 

10,  1864.     Died  at  Colfax,  Iowa,  Jan.  13,  1884. 

JOSEPH  W.  GIRD,  Captain,  age  24,  residence,  Worcester.  Private  25th 
Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  4,  1861;  1st  Lieutenant  36th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug. 

11,  1862;  resigned  May   19,   1863:  2d  Lieutenant   57th   Mass.    Infantry, 
Nov.  3,  1863;  Captain,  Dec.  31,  1863;  killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va  , 
May  6,  1864. 

GEORGE  H.  HOWE,  Captain.  Born  in  Monson,  Mass.,  1840.  Enlisted 
from  Monson  in  Co.  G,  46th  Mass.,  and  appointed  1st  Lieutenant  Oct. 
15,  1862;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  29,  1863;  2d 
Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov.  2,  1863;  Captain,  Jan.  25,  1864; 
killed  in  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va.  (crater),  July  30,  1864,  while 
acting  Inspector-General,  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Ninth  Army 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

EDSON  T.  DRESSER,  Captain,  residence,  Stockbridge.  1st  Lieutenant 
49th  Mass.  Infantry,  Sept.  20,  1862;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of 
service,  Sept.  1,  1863;  Captain  57th  Mass.  Infantry/ Jan.  25,  1864. 
Killed  in  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va.  (crater),  July  30,  1864. 

LEVI  LAWRENCE,  Captain;  residence,  Fitchburg.  1st  Lieutenant  25th 
Mass.,  Oct.  12,  1861;  resigned  July  21,  1862.  Captain  57th  Mass.,  Feb. 
11,  1864;  discharged  for  disability  (wounds  received  in  battle),  Sept. 
19,  1864.  Drowned  at  sea  by  wreck  of  steamship  City  of  Columbus  of 
the  Savannah  Line,  off  Gay's  Head,  Mass.,  Jan.  18,  1884. 


422  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


CHARLES  D.  HOLLIS,  Captain,  age  39;  residence,  Lynn.  Enlisted  in 
the  40th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  19,  1862;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of 
service,  July  29,  1863;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry",  Oct.  13,  1863; 
1st  Lieutenant,  Feb.  11,  1864;  Captain,  April  9,  1864;  "discharged  for 
disability  (wounds  received  in  battle),  Oct.  13,  1864.  Present  residence, 
Lynn,  Mass. 

FREDERICK  COCHRANE,  Captain,  age  26  ;  residence,  Methuen.  2 d  Lieu 
tenant  50th  Mass  Infantry,  Sept.  19,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863;  2d  Lieutenant  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Sept.  11,  1863;  Captain,  April 
20,  1864;  transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  by  consolidation  of  the 
57th  and  59th,  June  1,  1865:  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service, 
July  30,  1865.  Address,  June  30,  1895,  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

ALBERT  W.  COOKE,  Captain;  residence,  Milford.  Born  at  Shelburne 
Falls,  Mass.,  Sept.  18,  1843.  Enlisted  in  Co.  B,  25th  Mass.,  from 
Milford,  Sept.  6,  1861;  promoted  Corporal  the  same  day;  Sergeant, 
April  15,  1862;  1st  Sergeant,  Sept.  19,  1862;  discharged  in  December, 
1863,  to  accept  commission ;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  7, 
1864;  1st  Lieutenant,  March  4,  1864;  Captain,  June  ^5,  1864.  On  staff 
of  Third  Brigade,  First  Division,  Ninth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  as 
Provost  Marshal,  in  April,  1865;  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General  of 
the  Brigade  in  May,  1865 ;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July 
30,  1865.  Residence  at  present  date  (Jan.  31,  1896),  No.  16  Appleton  St., 
Maiden,  Mass.  Business  address,  31  State  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

HENRY  L.  SWORDS,  Captain,  age  22;  residence,  Charlestown.  Private 
36th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  26,  1862;  2d  Lieutenant  59th  Mass.  Infantry, 
Oct.  6,  1863;  1st  Lieutenant,  Jan.  6,  1864;  Captain,  June  17,  1864; 
transferred  to  the  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  by  consolidation  of  the  57th  and 
59th,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30, 
1865;  appointed  Major  U.S.  Volunteers  by  brevet  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  to  date  from  April  2,  1865, 
per  General  Orders  No.  65,  War  Department,  A.G.O.,  June  22,  1867. 
Recent  address,  Treasury  Department,  Washington,  D.C. 

JOSEPH  W.  GELRAY,  Captain,  age  27 ;  residence,  Lowell.  Born  in  Eng 
land.  Record  in  volunteer  service  :  Private  and  Corporal  Co.  A  and 
Sergeant  Co.  II,  2d  Mass.  Infantry,  May  25,  1861,  to  Dec.  24, 
1862;  2d  Lieutenant  2d  Mass.  Infantry,  Dec.  25,  1862;  1st  Lieutenant, 
Nov.  1,  1863,  honorably  mustered  out  July  24,  1864.  Captain  57th  Mass. 
Infantry,  July  25,  1864;  honorably  mustered  out  Nov.  14,  1864.  Major 
4th  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery,  Dec.  7,  1864;  honorably  mustered  out  June 
17,  1865  Appointed  in  Regular  Army  as  Captain  45th  U.S.  Infantry, 
July  28,  1866.  Retired  from  active  service  Dec.  15,  1870,  on  account  of 
disability,  loss  of  right  arm  from  wound  in  line  of  duty.  Appointed 
Lieutenant-Colonel  U  S.  Army  by  brevet,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  to  date  from  March  2,  1867,  General 
Orders  No  89,  War  Department,  A.G.O.,  Sept.  26,  1867.  Present 
address,  care  War  Department.  Washington,  D.C. 

JOHN  L.  GOODWIN,  Captain,  age  23;  residence,  Worcester.  Mustered  as 
Private  Co.  A,  25th  Mass.,  Sept.  14,  1861;  discharged  Jan.  6,  1864,  to 
accept  commission  1st  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  6,  "1864; 
Captain,  July  31,  1864;  not  mustered  on  account  of  absent,  wounded; 


ROSTER  —  OFFICERS. 


423 


discharged  (as  1st  Lieutenant)  for  disability  from  wounds  received  in 
line  of  duty.     Died  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  Nov.  22,  1807. 

HENRY  C.  WARD,  Captain,  age  21  ;  residence,  Worcester.  Private  and 
Sergeant-Major  15th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  31,  1861,  to  April  9,  1863;  2d 
Lieutenant,  April  9,  18(53;  resigned  Sept.  4,  1803;  1st  Lieutenant  57th 
Mass  Infantry,  March  9,  1864;  Captain,  July  31,  1864;  honorably 
mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865 ;  appointed  in  the 
regular  army  as  2d  Lieutenant  llth  U.S.  Infantry,  Feb.  23,  186(5,  1st 
Lieutenant  same  day;  transferred  to  16th  U.S.  Infantry,  April  14,  1869; 
regimental  Quartermaster,  March  1,  1875,  to  Feb.  8,  1880;  Captain  by 
brevet  U.S.  Army,  to  date  from  March  2,  1867,  for  gallant  and  merito 
rious  services  during  the  war  and  in  action  at  Fort  Stedman,  Va.,  March 
24,  1865  —  General  Orders  33,  April  9,  1869.  Military  adviser  on  staff  of 
governor  of  Tennessee  from  1892  to  (in  that  capacity  at  present  date) 
Jan.  31,  1896.  Address,  care  of  Adjutant-General,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

HENRY  M.  CROSS,  Captain,  age  22;  residence,  Newburyport.  Private 
48th  Mass.  Infantry,  Sept.  16,  1862;  mustered  out  Sept.  3,  1863;  Private 
and  Sergeant-Major  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov.  1,  1863;  2d  Lieutenant, 
Nov.  24,  1863;  1st  Lieutenant,  April  26,  1864;  Captain,  Aug.  20,  1864; 
transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry  by  consolidation  of  57th  and  59th, 
June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865. 
Recent  address,  Newburyport,  Mass. 

JOHN  FOLEY,  Captain.  2d  Lieutenant  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Dec.  16,  1863; 
1st  Lieutenant,  June  21,  18(54;  Captain,  Sept  10,  1864;  mustered  out  to 
date  July  30,  1865  —  Special  Order  245,  War  Department,  A.G.O  ,  dated 
Oct.  20,  1887,  to  amend  his  record  so  as  to  make  him  Captain  in  the  59th 
Mass.,  Sept.  10,  1864.  No  date  of  transfer  to  the  57th.  Recent  address, 
173  Fifth  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

GEORGE  E.  BARTON,  Captain,  age  24;  residence,  Worcester.  Corporal 
Co.  C,  51st  Mass.  Infantry,  mustered  in,  Sept.  25,  1862;  Sergeant-Major, 
Nov.  4,  1862;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  27,  1863;  2d 
Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  6,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant,  April  9, 
1864;  Captain,  Sept.  20,  1864;  mustered  out  July  26,  1865.  Died  in 
Worcester,  Mass.,  May  29,  1878. 

L.  CURTIS  BRACKETT,  Captain,  age  23:  residence,  P>oston.  Sergeant- 
Major  28th  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  12,  1861;  2d  Lieutenant,  April  4/1862; 
1st  Lieutenant,  Sept.  24,  1862;  Captain,  May  12,  1863  (declined  com 
mission);  transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov.  9,  1864;  Captain, 
Dec  14,  1864;  Major  of  Volunteers  by  brevet  for  conspicuous  gallantry 
in  the  attack  on  Fort  Stedman  and  Petersburg,  Va.,  to  date  from  April 
2,  1865  —  General  Orders  65,  War  Department,  Adjutant-General's  Office, 
June  22,  1867.  Record  since  discharge,  unknown. 

CHARLES  BARKER,  Captain,  residence,  Fitchburg.  Lieutenant  in  the 
Fitchburg  Guards  at  breaking  out  of  the  war.  Appointed  1st  Lieutenant 
21st  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  21,  1861;  resigned,  on  account  of  ill  health, 
June  16,  1862;  1st  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Feb.  18,  1864; 
Captain,  Nov.  11,  1864  (not  mustered).  Discharged  as  1st  Lieutenant, 
Dec.  17,  1864,  for  disability,  result  of  wound  received  in  battle  of 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  1864.  Present  residence,  Leominster,  Mass. 


424 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


ALFRED  O.  HITCHCOCK,  Captain,  age  23 ;  residence,  Fitchburg.  Enlisted 
as  Private  Co.  A,  53d  Mass.  Infantry  (9  months),  Dec.  9,  1862  (wounded 
at  Port  Hudson)  ;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  Sept  2,  18G3; 
2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  17,  1863;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct. 

24,  1864;    Captain,  Nov.    11,   1864;    mustered   May  19,  1865;    served  as 
aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  Major-General  Nelson  A.  Miles  at  Fortress 
Mnnroe,  Va.,  from  May  26,  1865.  to  April,  1866,  also  as  Provost  Marshal, 
Military  District  of  Fortress  Munroe;  honorably  mustered  out  April  19, 
1866;  appointed  Major  U.S.  Volunteers  by  brevet  for  meritorious    and 
gallant   services   in   the   field,  to    date   from   March    13,   1865  —  General 
Orders  65,  War  Department,  June  22,  1867.     At  present  date  (Jan.  31, 
1896),  practicing  physician  in  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

ALBERT  FINDER,  Captain,  age  33 ;  residence,  Lowell.  2d  Lieutenant  6th 
Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  31,  1862;  mustered  out  June  3,  1863;  2cl  Lieutenant 
59th  Mass.  Infantry,  March  30,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant,  July  31,  1864; 
Captain,  March  25,  1865;  transferred  to  57th  Mass  Infantry,  by  con 
solidation  of  57th  and  59th,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration 
of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Recent  address,  Lowell,  Mass. 

BENJAMIN  F.  CHESLEY,  Captain,  age  23 ;  residence,  Haverhill.  2d  Lieu 
tenant  17th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  21,  1861;  resigned  Dec.  27,  1861;  1st 
Lieutenant  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  March  3,  1864;  Captain,  March  25, 
1865 ;  transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  by  consolidation  of  57th  and 
59th,  June  1,  1865;  appointed  Captain  by  brevet  to  date  from  March  25, 
1865,  for  gallantry  at  Fort  Stedman,  Va. —  General  Orders  133,  Aug.  22, 
1865,  and  June  22,  1867,  War  Department,  Adjutant-General's  Office; 
mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  Aug.  8,  1865.  Record  since, 
unknown. 

GEORGE  E.  PRIEST,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  21;  residence,  Watertown.  En 
listed  as  Private,  53d  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov.  6,  1862;  1st  Lieutenant,  Nov. 
15,  1862;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  Sept  2,  1863;  1st  Lieu 
tenant  and  regimental  Quartermaster  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Nov.  5,  1863; 
mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Acting  Brigade 
Quartermaster  on  staff  of  General  McLaughlen,  Third  Brigade,  First 
Division,  Ninth  Army  Corps,  from  Oct.,  1864,  to  July  30,  1865.  At  pres 
ent  date,  Treasurer  of  the  Watertown  Savings  Bank  and  Chairman  Board 
of  Trustees,  Public  Library  of  Watertown,  Mass.  Residence  (to  date), 
Watertown,  Mass. 

SAMUEL  M.  BOWMAN,  ist  Lieutenant,  residence,  Worcester.  Enlisted  in 
Co.  A,  51st  Mass.  Infantry  (nine  months)  ;  mustered  as  Sergeant,  Sept. 

25,  1862;  discharged,  by  expiration  of  service,  July.  1863;   1st  Lieutenant 
57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Dec.  26,  1863 ;   killed  in  trenches  front  of  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  July  25,  1864. 

E.  DEXTER  CHENEY,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  21;  residence,  Worcester.  En 
listed  as  Sergeant  Co.  F,  51st  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  14,  1862;  mastered 
out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  27,  1863;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass. 
Infantry,  Dec.  31,  1863;  1st  Lieutenant,  Jan.  19,  1864;  killed  while  on 
duty  with  his  regiment  in  the  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  July 
19,  1864. 


ROSTER — OFFICERS.  425 


JOHN  H  COOK,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  22;  residence,  Northampton.  Enlisted 
as  Private  Co.  C,  10th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  21,  1861 ;  discharged  for  dis 
ability  July  17,  1862;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry.  Nov.  27,  1863; 
1st  Lieutenant,  Feb.  10,  1864;  discharged  Dec  27,  1864,  disability  result 
ing  from  gunshot  wound  through  the  body  while  on  duty  with  his  regi 
ment,  serving  in  the  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va. ;  Captain  and 
Major  U.S.  Volunteers  by  brevet,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865,  for  gal 
lant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the  campaign  before  Petersburg,  Va  — 
General  Order  91,  War  Department,  A.G.O.,  Oct.  9,  1867.  Served  twenty- 
live  years  in  the  Boston  Custom  House,  and  \vas  Auditor  from  1890  until 
day  of  his  death;  Department  Inspector  G. A. It.  Mass,  and  Commander 
Kinsley  Post  113,  G.A  R.  Served  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
in  1875,  1876  and  1877.  Died  at  his  home  in  Roxbury,  Mass., 
Aug.  19,  1893. 

EDWARD  S.  DEWEY,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  20;  residence,  Montague.  Cor 
poral  Co.  G,  10th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  21,  1861 ;  discharged  Jan.  17,  1864 
(for  promotion);  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  18,  1864;  1st 
Lieutenant,  March  2,  1864;  discharged  for  disability  Sept.  20,  1864. 
Present  address,  Custom  House,  Boston,  Mass. 

ALBERT  DOTY,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  23.  Enlisted  from  Hancock,  Mass.,  and 
mustered  as  Private  in  Co.  I,  57th  Mass.,  March  10,  1864:  1st  Lieuten 
ant,  July  14,  1864  ;  Captain  U.S.  Volunteers  by  brevet,  Aug.  18,  1864,  per 
General  Orders  No  15,  War  Department,  Feb.  6,  1865,  for  gallant  ser 
vices  in  the  operations  on  the.Weldon  Railroad,  Va.  ;  mustered  out,  by 
expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Previous  service  as  adjutant  of  a 
volunteer  regiment  of  infantry  from  New  York,  of  which  we  have  no 
record.  Death  reported  at  the  regimental  reunion  in  1874,  date  unknown. 

CHARLES  H.  ROYCE,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  20;  residence,  Monticello,  N.Y. 
Enlisted  from  Pittstield,  Mass.,  as  Private  in  Co.  G,  37th  Mass  Infantry, 
and  mustered  Aug.  30,  1862 ;  discharged  to  accept  commission  April  8, 
1864;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  28,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant, 
Oct.  7,  1864;  mustered  out  May  26,  1865.  Appointed  Captain,  by  brevet, 
U.S.  Volunteers  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  the  battle  of 
North  Anna  River,  Va.,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865,  and  Major  U  S. 
Volunteers  by  brevet,  as  of  same  date,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  ser 
vices  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  General  Orders,  War  Department,  Oct.  9, 
1867.  United  States  Consul  at  Prague.  Bohemia,  from  1868  to  1873. 
Present  residence,  Mont'cello,  N.Y. 

JAMES  W.  KENNAY,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  27 ;  residence,  Boston.  Enlisted 
and  mustered  as  Private  in  Co.  C,  13th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  16,  1861; 
Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  1862;  discharged  (date  unknown);  enlisted  in  57th 
Mass.  Infantry  Jan.  4,  1864;  2d  Lieutenant,  April  9,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant, 
Oct.  7,  1864  (not  mustered)  ;  discharged  for  disability  Dec.  27,  1864,  as 
2d  Lieutenant.  Record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

ALBERT  M.  MURDOCK,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  19;  residence,  Worcester. 
Enlisted  and  mustered  as  Private  in  Co.  H,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan'  11, 
1864;  Sergeant-Major  same  date;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864;  killed  in 
battle  of  Fort  Stedman,  Va.,  March  25,  1865. 


426  FIFTY-SEVP:XTII  REGIMENT  MASS.  VOLUNTEERS. 


HENRY  M.  IDE,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  33;  residence,  Worcester.  Sergeant 
Co.  B,  3d  Battalion  Riflemen;  mustered  in  April  19,  1801 ;  mustered  out 
May  3,  1861 ;  Corporal  Co.  A,  25th  Mass.  Infantry;  mustered  in  Sept. 
14,  1861;  discharged  for  disability  June  10,  1863;  Private  Co.  H,  57th 
Mass.  Infantry;  mustered  in  Jan.  11,  1864;  \vonndecl  June  17,  1864;  1st 
Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864;  mustered  out,  expiration  of  service,  July  30, 
1865.  Death  reported,  no  date,  at  reunion  in  1881. 

JAMES  H.  MARSHALL,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  21  ;  residence,  Pittsfleld. 
Mustered  as  1st  Sergeant  Co.  I,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  March  10,  1864; 
1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864;  Captain  U.S.  Volunteers,  by  brevet,  for 
gallant  and  meritorious  service  in  the  battles  before  Richmond,  Va  , 
to  date  from  March  29,  1865,  per  General  Order  (55,  June  22,  1867; 
mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Died  at  Wash 
ington,  D.C.,  Dec.  10,  1892.  Clerk  for  Senate  Committee  on  Indian 
A  Hairs. 

EDWARD  F.  POTTER,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  22;  residence,  Greenfield. 
Enlisted  and  mustered  as  Private  Co.  G,  10th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  21, 
1861;  discharged  for  disability  June  1,  1863;  enlisted  in  57th  Mass. 
Infantry,  date  unknown;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864;  mustered  out,  by 
expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865;  since,  postmaster  at  Gardner,  Mass 
Present  address,  Gardner  (or  West  Gardner),  Mass. 

JAMES  GIBSON,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  27 ;  residence,  Boston;  2d  Lieutenant 
13th  Mass  Infantry,  April  1,  1863;  1st  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  59th 
Mass.  Infantry.  Nov  19,  1863;  Captain,  Dec.  10,  1863;  resigned  Feb.  15, 
1864;  Private  and  Sergeant-Major  59th  Mass,  Infantry,  Feb.  29,  1864; 
mustered  March  12,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864;  transferred  to 
57th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  ser 
vice,  July  30,  1865.  Record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

THOMAS  STURGIS,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  18;  residence,  New  York;  1st 
Lieutenant  and  Adjutant,  60th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug  1,  1864;  mustered 
out  Nov.  30,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  27,  1865;  re 
signed  June  26,  1865.  Record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

WILLIAM  A.  BEARCE,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  39 ;  residence,  Chelsea;  2d 
Lieutenant  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  7,  1864;  commission  cancelled;  1st 
Lieutenant  59th  Mass  Infantry,  March  25,  1865;  transferred  to  57th 
Mass  Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  expiration  of  service,  July 
30,  1865  Record  of  service  prior  to  Oct.  7,  1864,  unknown.  Record 
and  residence  since  discharged,  unknown. 

CHARLES  L.  DARLING,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  27;  residence,  Boston.  En 
listed  as  Private  in  Co.  G,  59th  Mass.  Inf.,  March  4,  1864;  2d  Lieutenant, 
Oct.  7,  1864;  commission  cancelled;  1st  Lieutenant,  March  25,  1865; 
transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out,  by 
expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Residence,  recent  date,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

COBURN  S.  SMITH,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  21 ;  residence,  Billerica.  1st  Lieu 
tenant  59th  Mass  Infantry,  March  25,  1865;  transferred  to  57th  Mass. 
Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  mustered  out  July  30,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 
Record  of  service  prior  to  March  25,  1865,  unknown.  Record  and  resi 
dence  since  mustered  out,  unknown. 


ROSTER — OFFICERS.  427 


BENJAMIN  R.  SYMONDS,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  21 ;  residence,  South  Danvers. 
1st  Lieutenant  50th  Mass  Infantry,  March  25,  18G5;  transferred  to  57th 
Mass.  Infantry,  June  1,  1865 ;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July 
30,  1865.  Record  of  service  prior  to  March  25,  1865,  unknown.  Record 
and  residence  since  muster  out,  unknown. 

SAMUEL  CURRIER,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  31;  residence,  Natick.  Enlisted 
in  the  13th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  16,  1861;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Antietam  Sept.  17,  1862;  discharged,  disability,  date  unknown;  enlisted 
in  Co.  D,  50th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan  1,  1864;  mustered  as  Sergeant  Feb. 
0,  1865;  transferred  to  57th  Mass.  Infantry  as  Sergeant  Co.  D,  June  1, 
1865.  1st  Lieutenant,  June  12,  1865;  mustered  June  26,  1865;  mustered 
out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Present  residence,  Xatick, 
Mass. 

GEORGE  ADAMS,  ist  Lieutenant,  age  25 ;  residence,  Boston.  Mustered  in 
as  1st  Sergeant  Co.  G,  57th  Mass.  Infantry.  March  10,  1864;  1st  Lieu 
tenant,  June  12,  1865;  mustered  June  26,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expira 
tion  of  service,  July  30,  1*05.  Record  of  service  prior  to  March  10, 
1864,  unknown.  Record  and  residence  since  mustered  out,  unknown. 

CHARLES  F.  LEE,  2d  Lieutenant,  age  22 ;  residence,  Templeton.  Enlisted 
and  mustered  as  Corporal  Co.  A,  18th  Mass.  Infantry,  Aug.  24,  1861; 
discharged  Oct.  2,  1862,  for  disability,  result  of  wounds  received  in 
action  Aug.  30,  1862*;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Oct.  21,  1863; 
discharged,  disability,  May  17,  1864;  2d  Lieutenant  55th  Mass.  Infantry, 
Dec.  10,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant,  June  23,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expira 
tion  of  service,  Aug.  20,  1865;  Captain  U.S.  Volunteers  by  brevet,  to 
date  from  March  13,  1865,  per  General  Order,  War  Department,  A  G.O., 
Oct.  14,  1868.  Record  and  residence  since  muster  out,  unknown. 

EDWIN  I.  COE.  2d  Lieutenant,  age  10;  residence,  Worcester.  Enlisted 
and  mustered  as  Corporal  Co.  F,  51st  Mass.  Infantry,  nine  months,  Oct. 
14,  1862;  mustered  out.  by  expiration  of  service,  July  27,  1863;  2d 
Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Dec.  31,  1863;  killed  in  battle  before 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864.  Acting  Adjutant  at  time  of  death. 

JOHN  ANDERSON.  2d  Lieutenant,  residence,  Holland.  Born  at  Mcmson, 
Mass.,  1841;  enlisted  from  Lansing,  Mich  ,  Jan.  5,  1863,  in  Co.  E,  1st 
Michigan  Sharpshooters;  discharged  to  accept  commission,  Feb.  0, 
1864.  Mustered  as  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Feb.  10,  1864 ; 
discharged,  disability,  wound  received  in  action,  Jan.  21,  1865  ;  2d 
Lieutenant,  20th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  March  25,  1865,  mustered 
out  June  30,  1866;  1st  Lieutenant  and  Captain  by  brevet  to  date  from 
March  13,  1865,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  the  battles 
before  Petersburg,  Va. — General  Orders  67,  War  Department,  A. G.O., 
July  16,  1867.  Service  in  the  regular  army  as  follows :  2d  Lieuten 
ant  25th  U.S.  Infantry,  Aug.  10,  1867;  transferred  to  18th  U.S.  Infantry, 
April  26,  1860;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  17,  1878;  Captain,  June  21,  1800. 
Retired  from  active  service  June  6,  1804,  on  account  of  disability  in 
line  of  duty  (Section  1251,  Revised  Statutes  U.S.).  Residence  since, 
Belchertown,  Mass. 


*The  above  record  considered  correct,  but  not  altogether  official.  —  J.  A. 


428  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


HENRY  B  FISKE,  ad  Lieutenant,  residence,  Springfield.  Appointed  Feb. 
11,  1864;  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  7,  1864;  declined  commission;  discharged, 
as  2d  Lieutenant,  for  disability,  Sept.  5,  1864.  Kecord  of  service  prior  to 
Feb.  11,  1864,  unknown.  Residence  reported,  recent  date,  129  Daven 
port  St.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

JOHN  READE,  ad  Lieutenant,  residence,  Milford.  1st  Lieutenant,  48th 
Mass.  Infantry,  nine  months,  Nov.  15,  1802;  resigned,  March  1,  1863; 
2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  March  2,  1864  (prisoner  of  war  July 

30,  1864,  to 1865);  mustered  out  May  15,   1865;   1st  Lieutenant  and 

Captain,  by  brevet,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865,  for  faithful  services 
during  the  campaigns  of  1864  and  1865  —  General  Order  45,  War  Depart 
ment,  A.G.O.,  April  24,  1869.  Served  in  the  General  Court  of  Massa 
chusetts  1879,  1880  and  1881,  in  the  Senate  (Mass.)  1891  and  1892. 
Residence,  present  date,  187  Main  St.,  Charlesto\vn,  Mass. 

GEORGE  S.  GREEN,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  30;  residence,  Springfield ,  Enlisted 
and  mustered  into  the  US.  service  as  Corporal  Co.  F,  10th  Mass. 
Infantry,  June  21,  1861;  re-enlisted  Dec.  21,  1863;  discharged  as  1st 
Sergeant,  Feb.  8,  1864;  2d  Lieutenant  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  March  4, 
1864;  discharged,  disability,  Oct.  5,  1864;  Major  by  brevet,  to  date  from 
March  13,  1865,  per  General  Order  67,  War  Department,  A.G.O.,  July  16, 
1867.  Residence,  recent  date,  Aurora,  111. 

JAMES  M.  CHILDS,2d  Lieutenant,  age  36;  residence,  Worcester.  Mustered 
into  the  U.S.  service  as  1st  Sergeant  Co.  B,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  4, 
1864;  2d  Lieutenant,  April  9,  1864;  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  1864.  Record  of  service  prior  to  that  in  the  57th 
unknown. 

JAMES  PEACOCK,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  24 ;  residence,  Worcester.  Mustered 
into  the  U.S.  service  as  Private  Co.  D,  15th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  12, 
1861;  discharged  for  disability,  Nov.  22,  1862;  1st  Sergeant  Co.  B,  57th 
Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  4,  1864;  2d  Lieutenant,  April  9,  1864;  discharged, 
May  25,  1865,  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  battle  of  Fort  Stedman, 
Va.,  March  25,  1865.  Died  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  date  unknown.  Re 
ported  at  regimental  reunion  of  1883 

CHARLES  H.  PINKHAM,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  20;  residence,  Worcester. 
Mustered  as  Corporal  Co.  H,  57th,  Jan.  11,  1864;  Sergeant-Major,  Jan. 
1,  1865  ;  2d  Lieutenant,  June  12,  1865  ;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  ser 
vice,  July  30,  1865 ;  1st  Lieutenant  and  Captain  by  brevet,  to  date  from 
March  13,  1865,  "  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  while  in  front  of 
Petersburg  in  1864,  and  more  especially  for  gallantry  on  the  25th  of 
March,  1865,  he,  at  that  time,  capturing  the  colors  of  the  57th  North 
Carolina  Volunteers  of  Gordon's  rebel  brigade*."  Awarded  a  medal  of 
honor  for  the  same  service,  and  in  saving  the  colors  of  his  own  regi 
ment  from  capture.  Present  residence,  Worcester,  Mass. 

PATRICK  GILMORE,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  44;  residence,  West  Springfield. 
1st  Sergeant  Co.  D,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  25,  1864;  2d  Lieutenant, 
June  12,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865. 
Record  of  service  prior  to  Jan.  25,  1864,  unknown.  Record  and  residence 
since  muster  out,  unknown. 


*  The  words  embraced  in  quotation  are  from  General  Orders  No.  67,  War  Department, 
Adjutant-General's  Office,  dated  July  16, 1867.— J.A. 


ROSTER  —  OFFICERS. 


429 


CHARLES  E.  BARNARD,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  23;  residence,  Worcester. 
Enlisted  and  mustered  into  service  in  Co.  E,  loth  Mass.  Infantry,  July 
30,  1861 ;  discharged  for  disability,  wounds  received  in  action,  Nov.  24, 
1862;  1st  Sergeant  Co.  F,  57tli  Mass.  Infantry,  Feb.  18,  186-i;  2d 
Lieutenant,  June  12,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July 
30,  1865.  Died  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  18,  1887.  Cause  of  death, 
wounds  received  in  action. 

* 

CHARLES  L.  DEPOSE,  ad  Lieutenant,  residence,  Worcester.  Enlisted  and 
mustered  into  the  U.S.  service  in  Co.  D,  15th  Mass.  Infantry,  July  12, 
1861;  discharged  for  disability,  no  date  given.  Enlisted  and  mustered 
as  Sergeant  Co.  C,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  —  -  1864 ;  2d  Lieutenant,  June 
12,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Resi 
dence,  recent  date,  Worcester,  Mass. 

CHARLES  F.  SHERMAN,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  29;  residence,  Salem.  En 
listed  and  mustered  in  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  5,  1864;  transferred  to 
Co.  B,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  as  1st  Sergeant,  June  1,  1865;  2d  Lieutenant 
57th,  June  12,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30, 
1865.  Record  of  service  prior  to  Jan.  5,  1864,  unknown.  Latest  resi 
dence  known,  21  Perkins  St.,  Charlestown,  Mass. 

WILLIAM  S.  SARGENT,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  21 ;  residence,  Boston.  Enlisted 
and  mustered  in  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  April  2,  1864;  transferred  as  1st 
Sergeant  to  Co  B,  57th  Mass  Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  2d  Lieutenant, 
June  12,  1865;  mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865. 
Record  of  service  prior  to  April  2,  1865,  unknown.  Recent  address,  U.S. 
Sub.  Treasury,  Boston,  Mass. 

HENRY  F.  FLETCHER,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  22;  residence,  Westford.  En 
listed  in  59th  Mass.  Infantry  -  -  ;  transferred  to  57th  Mass. 
Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  2d  Lieutenant,  June  12,  1865;  mustered  out,  by 
expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Service,  if  any,  prior  to  enlistment 
in  59th  regiment,  unknown.  Record  and  residence  since  muster  out, 
unknown. 

CHARLES  H.  SARGENT,  ad  Lieutenant,  age  27;  residence,  Stow.  Mus 
tered  in  59th  Mass.  Infantry,  Jan.  5,  1864;  transferred  as  Sergeant  to 
Co.  B,  57th  Mass.  Infantry,  June  1,  1865;  2d  Lieutenant,  June  12,  1865; 
mustered  out,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Record  of  service, 
if  any,  prior  to  January  5,  1865,  unknown.  Record  and  residence  since 
muster  out,  unknown. 


NON  -  COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

SAMUEL  BAXTER,  Sergeant-Major,  age  35 ;  residence,  Boston.  Mustered 
Feb.  4,  1864;  discharged,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865;  trans 
ferred  from  59th,  June  1,  1865.  Present  address  unknown. 

JAMES  A.  ROBBINS,  Quartermaster-Sergeant,  age  22;  residence,  Water- 
town.  Mustered  Feb.  18,  1864,  as  Private  Co.  E;  discharged  as 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865.  Recent 
address,  Chicago,  111. 


430 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


WM.  H.  H.  ALDRIDGE,  Commissary  Sergeant,  age  21;  residence,  Melrose. 
Mustered  Feb.  20,  1864 ;  discharged,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30, 
1865;  transferred  from  59tli  June  1,  1865.  Present  address,  unknown. 

DAVID  F.  LAWRY,  Commissary  Sergeant,  age  26;  residence,  Worcester. 
Mustered  Jan.  11,  1864;  discharged  as  supernumerary,  May  26,  1865. 
Death  reported  at  reunion  of  1873. 

HENRY  G.  PROUT,  Hospital  Stewafd,  age  18;  residence,  Great  Barrington. 
Mustered  Jan.  25,  1864,  Co.  D,  57th;  discharged,  by  expiration  of 
service,  July  30,  1865.  Present  address,  unknown. 

CHARLES  FOSTER,  Principal  Musician,  age  28;  residence,  Waltham. 
Mustered  Feb  4,  1864;  transferred  from  59th,  per  paragraph  43, 
Special  Order  254,  War  Department,  May  25,  1865;  discharged,  by  ex 
piration  of  service,  August  10,  1865. 

WM.  R.  NICHOLS,  Principal  Musician,  age  43;  residence,  Reading.  Mus 
tered  Jan.  14,  1864;  discharged,  by  expiration  of  service,  July  30,  1865; 
transferred  from  59th,  June  1,  1865  Death  reported,  date  unknown. 

JESSE  S.  SCOTT,  Principal  Musician,  age  22;  residence,  Leicester.  Mus 
tered  Jan.  4,  1864;  discharged  as  supernumerary,  May  26,  1865; 
previous  service,  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  3d  Battalion  Mass.  Rifles,  May  19, 
1861;  discharged  Aug.  13,  1861.  Musician,  Band  21st  Mass.,  enlisted 
August  23,  1861;  discharged  Aug.  11,  1862;  enlisted  as  Musician  Co.  B, 
57th,  December.  1863.  Died  in  Leicester,  Mass.,  Sept.  28,  1892. 


ENLISTED   MEN. 


COMPANY   A. 

Nelson,  Dexter  C.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64; 
dis.  as  supernumerary  June  16,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Soldiers'  Home,  Chel 
sea,  Mass. 

O'Donnell,  John,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  23,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis,  ex. 
of  service  July  30,^65;  pres.  address,  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

Wilson,  William  H.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  20,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64; 
killed  at  Wilderness,  Va  ,  May  6,  '64;  veteran  13th  Mass.  Inf. 

Cooley,  John  J.,  Sergt.  :  age  36,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Druitt,  William,  Sergt.:  age  25,  res.  Southbriclge,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Hopkinson,  Lowell  H.,  Sergt.:  age  27,  res.  Groveland,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent 
address,  Groveland,  Mass. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN. 


431 


Parks,  George  H.,  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Winch endon,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died 
at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Sept.  19,  '64. 

Wilson,  Hugh  A.,  Sergt. :  age  18,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  July  20,  '65 ;  recent  address,  Great  Bend,  Barton 
County,  Kansas. 

Allen,  Albert  S.,  Corp.  :  age  36,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  24,~'65. ;  death  reported  in  '95. 

Berry,  William  W.,  Corp.  :  age  20,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex. 
of  service,  absent,  July  30,  '65 ;  since  unknown. 

Crampsey,  John,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  20,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address, 
Beverly,  Mass. 

Gorman,  John,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  Salem,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63 ;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  20,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Boston, 
Mass. 

Hayes,  James,  Corp.  :  age  26,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Dec.  5, '63;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  June  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Kelliher,  John,  Corp. :  age  29,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63 ;  dis.  disa 
bility  June  29,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Mills,  John  S.,  Corp.  :  age  22,  res.  Rutland,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  died  at  Annap 
olis,  Md.,  April  15,  '65,  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Perkins,  Walter  G.,  Corp.  :  age  22,  res.  Reading,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  un 
known. 

Walker,  William  R.,  Corp.  :  age  22,  res.  Douglas,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  dis.  disa 
bility  March  1,  '65;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Darling,  William  H.,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Clinton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.,  Aug.  8,  '65;  deserted  from  camp  near  Tennallytown,  D.C., 
June  30,  '65 ;  voluntarily  reported  to  company  commander  at  Readville, 
Mass.,  Aug.  3,  '65,  and  discharged  to  date  Aug.  8,  '65:  record  and 
address  since,  unknown. 

Sweeney,  James,  Mus.  :  age  16,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  un 
known. 

Aldrich,  William  A.  :  age  20,  res.  Upton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Feb.  15,  '65;  address  previous  to  '94,  Westboro,  Mass. 

Alexander,  Isaac  :  age  26,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Feb.  1,  '64; 
record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Ballou,  Hiram  K.  :  age  38,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  transferred  to- 
V.R.C.  Jan.  29,  '65;  dis.  Nov.  20,  '65;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 


432  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Bartlett,  Ebenezer  A.  :  age  46,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65 ;  died  April  4,  '94. 

Barrett,  Thomas  :  age  21,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Bassett,  Uriah:  age  18,  res.  Holclen,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Weldon 
R.R.,  Va.,  Aug.  19,  '64. 

Beals,  Isaiah,  age  31,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63  ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  present  address  unknown. 

Bedreaux,  Alexander:  age  24,  res.  Brookfield,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  wounded 
May  12  and  Aug.  19,  '64;  pris.  of  war  Mar.  25,  '65;  dis.  June  8,  '65,  per 
S.O.  No.  77,  A.G.O.,  '65,  as  Budrow;  present  address  unknown. 

Beltran,  Gusta  :  age  18,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  July  17,  '65  ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Benon,  George:  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  record. 

Bennett,  Nathan  C.  :  age  24,  res.  Marlborongh,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Bessey,  Seth  :  age  39,  res.  Reading,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Birmingham,  Patrick  :  age  27,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Boyle,  George:  age  37,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  25,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  must,  out  on  Independent  M.O.  Roll  as  of  Co.  G,  59th,  May 
15,  '65;  correct  name  James  C.  Boyle  (War  Dept.  Records);  never 
served  in  57th;  no  other  information. 

Bragg,  Andrew:  age  19,  res.  Maiden,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  present  address  unknown. 

Brown,  Edwin  C.  :  age  19,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  July  18,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  present  address 
unknown. 

Broad,  Lyman  :  age  28,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Peeble's 
Farm,  Va.,  Sept.  30,  '64. 

Bryan,  John  B.  :  age  23,  res.  Auburn,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Feb.  1,  '64; 
no  other  record  known. 

Burnham,  Otis:  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1, '65;  recent  address,  Beverly, 
Mass. 

Callihan,  Robert:  age  22,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Anderson- 
ville,  Ga.,  July  18,  '64. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN. 


433 


Casey,  Matthew:  age  35,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  Feb.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  'Go ;  trans,  from  59th  as  absent,  missing,  May  4,  '64.  War 
Dept.  records  show  that  this  man  died  in  Aug.,  1864,  while  a  prisoner  of 
war,  at  Andersonville,  Ga. ;  reported  as  trans,  to  Co.  B,  57th,  June  1,  '65. 

Cater,  Silas  N. :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Chase,  John  R. :  age  18,  res.  Salem,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63 ;  dis.  order  War  Dept. 
Aug.  10,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Clanguin,  Augustus:  age  39,  res.  Cheshire,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Coderre,  Louis  C.  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Ashburnham,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted 
Apr.  1,  '64;  no  record  of  bounty,  address  unknown. 

Collins,  James:  age  30,  res.  South  Reading,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Stone- 
ham,  Mass. 

Cook,  Silas  N. :  age  29,  res.  Warren,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Petersburg, 
Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Coombs.  Thomas  W.  :  age  42,  res.  South  Reading,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown . 

Copeland,  John:  age  23,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  died  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.,  Oct.  19,  '64;  no.  of  grave  11,174. 

Davis,  John:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability  May 
16,  '65:  recent  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Delaski,  Albert:  age  21,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Delaney,  Michael:  age  25,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Feb. 
21.  '64:  no  other  record. 

Delaney,  Patrick  :  age  45,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  :  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Delano,  Reuben  :  age  23,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63 ;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  as  absent,  July  30,  '65; 
final  record  appears  as  that  of  a  deserter  from  Co.  A,  59th:  no  later  in 
formation.  (War  Dept.) 

Dickey,  Charles  H.  :  age  28,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  ex.  of  service 
absent,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th,  as  absent,  June  1,  '65:  died  at 
Mason  Gen.  Hosp.,  Boston,  Mass.,  as  of  Co.  A,  59th,  May  21,  '64  (War 
Dept.  Records). 

Dillon,  Patrick :  age  45,  res  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Spottsyl- 
vania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Dodge,  Daniel  D.  :  age  28,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  Feb.  26,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Doherty,  Patrick:  age  18,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Aug.  26,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  16,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

28 


434 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Dolan,  William  H.  :  age  21,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  North  Leominster,  Mass. 

Doyle,  Owen:  age  34,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability  May 
13,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dudley,  Charles  F.  :  age  25,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  July  12, 
'65,  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  action,  veteran  companies  D  and 
C,  49th  Mass;  recent  address,  Pittsfield,  Mass. 

Dudley,  Lyman :  age  21,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  Aug.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.,  June  16,  '65;  pres.  res.  Pittsfleld. 

Duffey,  Patrick:  age  22,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Dec.  5.  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent,  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  record. 

Ellard,  John:  age  25,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  June  2,  '64; 
no  later  record. 

Flamsburg,  Stephen:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted 
Sept.  15,  '64;  no  later  record. 

Flint,  Henry  C.  :  age  43,  res.  North  Reading,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  died,  date  unknown. 

Flynn,  Patrick:  age  26,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  record. 

Flynn.  Daniel :  age  24,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Petersburg, 
Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Foster,  Albert  C.  :  age  18,  res.  Rutland,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  1624  South  33d  St.,  Omaha,  Neb. 

Foster,  George  W. :  age  20,  res.  Rutland,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Warren,  Mass. 

Fregean,  John  :  age  22,  res.  Ashburnham,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  died  at  Alexan 
dria,  Va.,  May  30,  '64,  from  wounds  received  in  action. 

Geaghan,  John :  age  44,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  record. 

Gearetin,  Louis:  age  19,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  23,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  'deserted  July  29,  '64,  as  of  Co.  G,  59th,  from  McClellan  Gen. 
Hospital,  Phila.,  Penn.,  no  record  of  return. 

Gendron,  John:  age  18,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
July  26,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gerry,  Thomas  L.  :  age  41,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis.  order  War 
Dept.  July  6,  '65;  pres.  address,  Sterling,  Mass. 

Gillin,  Michael:  age  33,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Gleason,  Charles  F.  :  age  29,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  July  24,  '64. 

Gloucester,  Thomas:  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted 
while  on  furlough  Aug.  4,  '64  (record  War  Dept.)  ;  no  later  information. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  435 


Goette,  Peter:  age  18,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Sept. 

14,  '64  (record  confirmed  by  War  Dept.)  ;  nothing  of  later  date. 

Green,  Henry  H. :  age  29,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Griffin,  John:  age  37,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,   '64;  dis.  disability,  Oct. 

15,  '64;  pres.  address,  Milford,  Mass. 

Grimes,  Warren  :  age  21,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  death  reported  in  '81. 

Grush,  Charles  H. :  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  disability 
May  10,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hartwell,  Hiram:  age  28,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  disability 
May  25,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Helms,  Carlos  A.  :  age  36,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pris.  of  war 
since  July  30,  '64.  Investigation  at  War  Dept.  fails  to  elicit  further 
information;  never  joined  the  57th;  no  record  of  return  after  close  of 
the  wrar. 

Heveron,  Patrick:  age  26,  res.  Lanesborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  in 
hospital  at  Washington,  D.C.,  June  1,  '64. 

Heyton,  Anthony:  age  26,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  trans,  to  V.R.C. 
Feb.  15,  '65 ;  dis.  by  order  of  War  Dept.  Aug.  3,  '65 ;  recent  address, 
East  Princeton,  Mass. 

Higgins,  Timothy  :  age  33,  res.  Clinton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  trans,  to  V.R.C.  ; 
dis.  by  order  War  Dept.  Feb.  25,  '65;  recent  address,  Boylston,  Mass. 

Hill,  George  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hodge,  John  :  age  36,  res.  Dedham,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  died  at  Petersburg, 
Va.,  July  30,  '64 ;  never  joined  the  57th  by  transfer  from  59th. 

Howarth,  James:  age  32,  res.  Graf  ton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Jan.  17,  '64  (disability  resulting  from  wounds  rec'd  in  action)  ;  pres. 
address,  Webster,  Mass. 

Hull,  Lavell  F.  :  age  27,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Dau\rille, 
Va.,  Nov.  20,  '64  (died  of  starvation)  ;  Vet.  of  Co.  E,  27th  Mass. 

Jameson,  William  H.  :  age  21,  res.  Wayland,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  20,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  remote  address, 
Wayland,  Mass. 

Jordan,  John:  age  24,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War  Dept. 
June  14,  '65;  recent  address,  Revere  House,  Boston,  Mass. 

Joseph,  Doriet  F.  :  age  26,  res.  Maiden,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  deserted  Aug.  11,  '64;  no  record  of  return; 
never  joined  57th  by  transfer  from  59th. 

Joslin,  Philemon  C. :  age  38,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  Oct.  15,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 


436  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Kelly,  Thomas:  age  40,  res.  Westflelcl,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Landon,  Dennis:  age  22,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lang,  Lewis:  age  19,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63:  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Reading,  Mass. 

Lawson,  George:  age  29,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  May 
6,  '64  ;  the  above  is  shown  by  records  in  Adjutant-General's  office,  Boston, 
but  as  that  was  the  clay  the  57th  lost  so  heavily  in  the  Wilderness,  this 
man  may  have  been  killed  or  taken  prisoner ;  no  later  information. 

Lee,  William  S.  :  age  19;  res.  Salem,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.,  Aug.  10,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  recent  address,  Worces 
ter,  Mass. 

Lee,  William  S.  :  age  36,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Locke.  Francis  :  age  21,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Feb.  11,  '64: 
no  later  information. 

Maghnie,  Daniel :  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Spott- 
sylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Maher,  Martin:  age  38,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Maloney,  James  :  age  19,  res.  Maiden,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63 ;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.,  Juty  20,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Mara,  Thomas  :  age  28,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  furloughed  from 
Gen.  Rosp.,  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  Aug.  25,  '64;  deserted  Oct.  12,  '64;  no  later 
information. 

Martin,  Edward:  age  35,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Martin,  William  G.  :  age  23,  res.  Milford,  mustered  March  11,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  July  4,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Maynard,  George  W.  :  age  18,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  missing  May 
6,  '64;  not  heard  from  since;  probably  killed  in  battle. 

Maynard,  William:  age  18,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  missing  May 
6,  '64;  War  Dept.  records  show  that  he  was  killed  in  battle. 

McDermott,  Matthew:  age  24,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65,  Vet  Co.  I,  48th  Mass. ; 
pres.  address  unknown. 

McDonald,  Daniel:  age  28,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Merrill,  Charles  O. :  age  41,  res.  Newburyport.  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN.  437 


Moore,  Joseph  M.  :  age  31,  res.  Wayland,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  July  15,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Mooher,  William  :  age  25,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Morrill,  Charles  L.  :  age  19,  res.  Haverhill,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  8,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Morris,  Michael:  age  20,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Ga.,  Oct.  16,  '64  (chronic  diarrhoea). 

Mullcott,  Adolphus  :  age  22,  res.  Melrose,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  admitted  to 
Gen.  Hosp.  at  Readville,  Mass.,  Aug.  6,  '64,  with  chronic  diarrhoea; 
no  record  of  discharge. 

Mullens,  Alfred  M.  :  age  24,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  Aug.  22,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Murphy,  Cornelius  :  age  18,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  killed  at  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Murphy,  Patrick:  age  33,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Neland,  Nathaniel  F.  :  age  24.  res.  Georgetown,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Neville,  William  :  age  44,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Clair,  Peter:  age  22,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  deserted  from  Turner's  Lane,  Gen.  Hosp., 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Sept.  8,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Conner,  Daniel:  age  27,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va.,  May  12,  '64.  (Rec.  War  Dept.) 

O'Conners,  David  :  age  33,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  killed  at  Spottsyl 
vania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Parker,  Charles  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  address  unknown. 

Parks,  William  :  age  27,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  deserted  Jan.  5,  '64,  arrested  July  6,  '64 ;  sent  to  regt.  July 
21,  '64;  tried  and  sentenced  by  G.C.M.,  but  must,  out  with  Co.,  Vet.  Co. 
I,  27th  Mass. 

Paul,  Charles:  age  44,  res.  Holclen,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  trans,  to  V.R.C. ; 
dis.  Sept.  15,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Petty,  Adam  :  age  29,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent,  July  30,  '65 ;  deserted  from  Gen.  Hosp.  at  Readville,  Mass.,  Dec. 
14,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Phillips,  James:  age  22,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  residence  unknown. 


438  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Porter,  Adolphus  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
April  11,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Porter,  Alfred  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at 
Worcester,  Mass.,  April  22,  '65. 

Ray,  Asa  M.  :  age  37,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Reade,  John  :  age  39,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability  March 
22,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Richell,  Louis:  age  28,  res.  Brookfleld,  mustered  Jan.  4,  ;64 ;  missing  May 
6,  '64.  War  Dept.  has  no  other  information  (probably  killed  in  battle). 

Rice,  William  H.  :  age  22,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility,  April  24,  '64;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Rivod,  Moses:  age  18,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Spottsyl- 
vania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Roades,  Theodore  H.  :  age  24,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis, 
order  War  Dept.  Aug.  10.  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65:  pres. 
address  unknown. 

Roe,  George  S.  :  age  27,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  disability 
June  9,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown 

Roper,  William  J.  :  age  18,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Rugg,  Charles  H.  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  missing  May 
6,  '64.  No  later  information;  probably  killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness. 

Sawtelle,  Henry  A.:  age  19,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  of 
wounds,  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  June  17,  '64. 

Seaver,  Roswell  R.  :  age  18,  res.  Holden,  mustered  .Jan.  4,  '64;  missing  May 
6,  '64;  dis.  for  disability  July  13,  '64;  re-enlisted  in  Co.  C,  25th  Mass., 
Jan.  11,  '65;  dis.  July  13,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Shaughnessy,  Michael:  age  25,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Smith,  Alfred  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Smith,  Eli:  age  26,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Jan.  20,  '64; 
bounty  jumper;  no  later  information. 

Swain,  John  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sweetser,  Joseph  E.  :  age  18,  res.  Barre,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  of  wounds, 
at  Salisbury,  N.C.,  Oct.  30,  '64,  while  prisoner  of  war. 

Tappan,  Francis  :  age  28,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  27,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN.  439 


Taylor,  George  A.:  age  18,  res.  Franklin,  mustered  Aug.  10,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  1C,  '65;  enlisted  for  one  year;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Teague,  John:  age  26,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  15,  '65;  died  July  1,  '81. 

Trussell.  Augustus  J.  :  age  25,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  4.  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  20,  '65;  death  reported  at  reunion,  '83. 

Tulley,  John:  age  39,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  of  wounds,  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  May  18,  '65. 

Vaughn,  Bartholomew:  age  41.  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  30,  '65  ;  War  Dept.  records  show  that  he  deserted 
from  Emory  Gen.  Hosp.,  Washington,  Xov.  30,  '64 ;  no  later  information. 

Walsh,  James  :  age  40,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  on  Surg.  Certf. 
disability  Sept.  12,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Warren,  Albert  C.  :  age  18,  res.  Upton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  May 
4.  '64  :  bounty  jumper  ;  no  later  information. 

Warren,  Hosea  :  age  41,  res.  Milford.  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Danville. 
Va..  Oct.  1,  '64. 

White.  William  S.  :  age  22,  res.  Ashburnham,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  dis,  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Wilson,  Ebenezer  L.  :  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63:  dis.  disability 
July  7,  '65  :  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  death  reported,  no  date. 


COMPAXY   B. 

Magner.  William,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64: 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30.  '65:  pres.  address,  Westboro,  Mass. 

Souther.  Samuel,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  44,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  killed 
May  6,  '64,  in  battle  of  Wilderness. 

Boardman,  Ambrose  A.,  Sergt.  :  age  18,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64. 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres. 
address  unknown. 

Flagg,  Henry  C.,  Sergt.  :  age  21,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
supernumerary  June  13,  '65;  pres.  address,  Lindley,  Mo. 

Forbes,  Willis  A.,  Sergt.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  death  reported  at  regt'l  reunion  of  '95. 

Freeman,  James  B.,  Sergt. :  age  30.  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  :  miss 
ing  May  6,  '64;  nolater  information  :  probably  killed  in  battle  of  Wilder 
ness. 

Joan,  Antonio,  Sergt.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Medfleld,  Mass. 

McCarty,  Daniel,  Sergt.  :  age  22,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65:  recent  address,  Soldiers'  Home,  Togus,  Me. 


440  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Wetherby,  Harlan  F.,  Sergt. :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  latest  address,  Grove  City,  Pa. 

Simons,  Daniel  J.,  Sergt.  :  age  27,  res.  Wilbraham,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
disability,  May  9,  '64,  by  order  of  General  Auger;  pres.  address,  Win- 
steel,  Conn. 

Bemis,  Ezra  C.,  Corp.  :  age  38,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  death  reported  in  1874. 

Callan,  Andrew,  Corp.  :  age  41,  res.  West  Cambridge,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Chapin,  David  N.,  Corp.  :  age  25,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
July  7,  '64,  order  General  Auger;  died  Nov.  5,  '79. 

Crowe,  Patrick,  Corp.:  age  23,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dayton,  Benjamin  F.,  Corp.  :  res.  Auburn,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64  ;  dis.  disability 
Dec.  27,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Fred,  John,  Corp.  :  age  29,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Fuller,  J.  Henry,  Corp. :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  missing 
May  6,  '64;  probably  killed;  letters  from  War  Dept.  dated  Feb.  1,  '78 
and  June  4,  '94,  give  no  later  information. 

Hall,  Josiah  B.,  Corp.:  age  21,  res.  Holland,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  trans,  to 
Co.  A,  14th  V.R.C.,  Sept.  23,  '64;  dis.  as  Sergt.  for  disability  Jan.  21,  '65 
(wound  received  in  action) ;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Howard,  Daniel  H.,  Corp.:  age  22,  res.  N.  Brooktield,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Jackson,  Henry  M.,  Corp. :  age  21,  res.  N.  Bridgewater,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64; 
dis.  disability  June  3,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknoAvn. 

Midgely,  John,  Corp.:  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  dis 
ability  Oct.  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Cherry  Valley,  Mass. 

Farmer,  John  T.,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Rogers,  Henry  M.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address, 
Beverly,  Mass. 

Bessey,  George  E.,  Mus.  :  age  16,  res.  Reading,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Read 
ing,  Mass. 

Hunt,  John  E.,  Mus.  :  age  19,  res.  N.  Bridgewater,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address, 
Brockton,  Mass. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  441 


Smith,  Eugene,  Mus.  :  age  19,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  death  reported  at  reunion  of  '93. 

Adams,  Daniel  V.  :  age  18,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  recent  address,  Oxford,  Mass. 

Adams,  Loring  J.  :  age  20,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Nov.  26,  '64,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  pres.  address,  Oxford,  Mass. 

Augland,  Thomas:  age  22,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  3,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Austin,  Caleb  S.  :  age  38,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  May  24,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Wilkinsonville,  Mass. 

Babbitt,  Benj.  F.  :  age  43,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  disability 
June  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ballou,  George  S.  :  age  25,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  8.  '65;  died,  date  unknown. 

Bates.  William  :  age  37,  res.  N.  Brookfield,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Cul- 
pepper  C.H.,  Va.,  June  7,  '64;  Roll  of  Honor,  vol.  7,  page  117. 

Bemis,  Adelbert  W. :  age  20,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at 
Anderson ville,  Ga.,  Sept.  11,  '64. 

Black,  Henry  E.  :  aye  18,  res.  Holden,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Alexandria, 
Va.,  Feb.  22,  '65. 

Bradley,  John:  age  40T  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  died  Dec.  23,  '71. 

Brewer,  Warren  E.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  14,  '65;  death  reported  in  '71. 

Brigham,  Albert:  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4, '64 :  dis.  order 
War  Dept  June  10,  '65 ;  died  July  10,  '87. 

Brigham,  Calvin  L.  :  age  19,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  26,  '65;  wounded  June  21,  '64;  pres.  address,  113  West 
St.,  Clinton,  Mass. 

Brigham,  Charles  L.  :  age  36,  res.  N.  Brookfield,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  of 
wounds  June  22,  '64. 

Brigdall,  James:  age  44,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  rejected  recruit 
and  dis.  June  29,  '64. 

Brothers,  Jesse  :  age  42,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bryant,  Amasa  :  age  22,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65 ;  Veteran  Co.  E,  6th  Vt. ;  no  later 
record. 

Buckley,  Jerry  :  age  32,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64  ;  died  at  Baltimore, 
Md.,  Feb.  8,  '65. 


442 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Bullard,  Francis  W.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis. 
disability  Nov.  23.  '65;  loss  of  leg  battle  of  Wilderness;  pres.  address, 
Westboro,  Mass. 

Burke,  David:  age  24,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Burke,  James:  age  30,  res.  Brimtield,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30.  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  :  pres.  address  unknown. 

Burke,  Thomas  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  at  North 
Anna  River,  Va.,  May  24,  '64. 

Callahan,  Jeremiah  :  age  30,  res.  Northbridge,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  29,  '64. 

Cheeney,  Charles  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64 :  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Clark,  Robert:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Tolland,  Conn. 

Clark,  William  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Button,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Dec.  29,  '64;  died  Jan.  2,  '90. 

Crook,  Peter:  age  36,  res.  Wilmington,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '(55 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Crowley,  Patrick:  age  26,  res.  North  Brookfield,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  May  20,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Culver,  Charles  E.  :  age  22,  res.  Otis,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Naugatuck,  Conn. 

Curtis,  Alonzo  :  age  35,  res.  Salem,  mustered  Oct.  1,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dodge,  Lewis  N.  :  age  21,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Oct.  21,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dolan,  John :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  recent  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Donahue,  John:  age  30,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  13,  '65;  died  March  15,  '67. 

Elliott,  Albert  L.  S. :  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Fleming,  Michael :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  wounded,  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Fozzman,  August :  age  34,  res.  Maiden,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address,  Soldiers'  Home, 
Chelsea,  Mass. 

-Gerry,  Albert  S.  :  age  27,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30, '65;  pres.  address,  Millbury,  Mass.,  or  Soldiers'  Home,  Togus, 
Me. 


KOSTER — ENLISTED    MEN.  443 


Goodnow,  Hiram  M.  :  age  21,  res.  Hubbardston,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  rejected 
and  discharged  recruit  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gordon,  William  :  age  22,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Graves,  Charles  B.  :  age  31,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  of  wounds, 
at  Petersburg,  Va.,  March  24,  '65. 

Green,  Myron  D.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4.  '64;  dis.  order 
AVar  Dept.  May  11,  '65;  pres.  address,  Golden  Gate,  Cal. 

Halpin,  Bartholomew  :  age  36,  res.  Melrose,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64  ;  dis.  disability 
July  20,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hanson,  John  A.  :  age  29,  res.  Bradford,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  wounded.  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1.  '65;  on 
later  information. 

Harkins,  John:  age  28,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  trans  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Hart,  John  A.  :  age  19,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  died  of  wounds, 
at  Washington,  D.C.,  May  26,  '64. 

Hayden,  Henry  C.:  age  18,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  of  wounds, 
at  Annapolis,  Md.,  July  4,  '64. 

Heintzleman,  J.  W.  C.  :  age  39,  res.  Auburn,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  Dec.  23,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Herrick,  George  L.  :  age  19,  res.  Stow,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64:  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  July  11,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  South- 
boro,  Mass. 

Hill,  Franklin:  age  21,  res.  Barre,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Jan.  4.  '64; 
pres.  address  unknown. 

Hinds.  Simon  D.  :  age  21,  res.  Haverhill,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64:  reported  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  was  admitted  to  Lowell  Gen.  Hosp.,  Portsmouth 
Grove,  R.I.,  May  20,  '64;  deserted  July  17,  '64;  returned  Aug.  17,  '64, 
and  deserted  again  Oct.  28,  '64;  no  record  of  return;  this  is  the  War 
Dept.  record;  no  later  information. 

Holland.  James  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  2,  '65:  death  reported  in  '75. 

Hooley.  Daniel:  age  35,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  David's 
Isl..  N.Y.H.,  Aug.  10,  '64. 

Hood.  George  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  at  Annapo 
lis,  Mel.,  July  2,  '64. 

Howard,  Timothy:  age  26,  res.  North  Brookfield,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  no  later 
information. 

Hubbard.  George  R. :  age  41,  res.  Paxton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64  ;  died  of  wounds 
July  27,  '64. 


444  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Ingalls.  John  D. :  age  38,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  'Go;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Inman,  George  J. :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Johnson,  William  A.  :  age  26,  res.  Melrose,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Kiely,  Martin:  age  32,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  missing  July 
30,  '64;  died  in  rebel  prison  at  Danville,  Va.,  Jan.  G,  'G5. 

King,  Simeon  E.  :  age  19,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  W.  Millbury,  Mass. 

Kirkup,  Charles  A.:  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  trans, 
to  17th  Co.,2d  Batt.,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Jan.  25,  '65,  and  dis.  on 
surgeon's  certiflcate  of  disability  (wounds  received  in  action)  Aug.  10, 
'65;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Kneeland,  Levi :  age  18,  res.  Newburyport,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Langdon,  Milo  T. :  age  39,  res.  Otis,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Leary,  John  :  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  died  of  wounds  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  .Tune  17,  '64. 

Leonard,  Benjamin  L.  :  age  30,  res.  Rutland,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  died  at  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea,  Jan.  17,  '96. 

Lines,  Dennis:  age  45,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  28,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Love,  John:  age  21,  res.  Salisbury,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Spencer,  Mass. 

Lowell,  Edward:  age  18,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  died,  date  unknown. 

Luther.  Nathan  J.  :  age  19,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Aug.  10,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lynch,  Bernard:  age  37,  res.  Northbridge,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Jan. 
30,  '64;  pros,  address  unknown. 

Lyons,  Patrick  :  age  27,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  died  March  1,  '92. 

Mahan,  Patrick:  age  35,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  rejected  and  dis. 
recruit  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Marah,  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  May  11,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

May,  John  E.  :  age  18,  res.  Holden,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  283  Maple  St.,  Lynn,  Mass. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN, 


445 


McBride,  John  :  age  24,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  reported  trans,  from 
59th  to  Co.  B,  57th,  June  1,  '65,  as  absent  sick,  but  the  transfer  seems  not 
to  have  been  carried  into  effect;  War  Dept.  Record  shows  that  he  was 
trans,  to  Co.  I,  20th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April  14,  '65;  dis.  June  10, 
'65,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability;  residence  since,  unknown. 

McCarty,  Cornelius:  age  27,  res.  North  Brookfield,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  re 
ported  trans,  from  59th  to  Co.  B,  57th,  June  1,  '65,  as  absent  wounded, 
but  the  transfer  was  not  carried  into  effect  as  he  was  trans,  to  Co.  I, 
20th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  dis.  June  20,  '65,  on  surgeon's  certificate 
of  disability,  as  of  Co.  B,  59th  (records  War  Dept.)  ;  residence  since, 
unknown. 

McDonald.  Henry:  age  19,  res.  West  Roxbury,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

McDonough,  Patrick :  age  20,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  rejected  recruit 
and  dis.  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Merrill,  David:  age  30,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  reported  trans, 
from  59th  to  Co.  B,  57th,  June  1,  '65,  but  never  joined  57th.  Records 
of  War  Dept.  show  that  he  was  admitted  to  Gen.  Hosp.,  Fairfax  Semi 
nary,  Va.,  May  4,  '64,  from  field,  with  chronic  rheumatism  ;  trans.  May  6, 
'64,  and  admitted  to  Satterlee  Gen.  Hosp.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May  7,  ~64, 
with  chronic  diarrhoea,  and  deserted  May  9,  '64 ;  no  later  record. 

Moore,   Lewis  :  age  44,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  May  6,  '64. 

Moore,  William  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  died  March  5,  '81. 

Murray,  John:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  recent  address,  137  Cambridge  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Nealy,  Ephraim  E.  :  age  43,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  May  22,  '65;  pres.  address,  Shrewsbury,  Mass. 

Newton,  Amos  P.:  age  20,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  missing  May 
24,  '64 ;  later  reports  show  him  to  have  been  killed  in  battle  of  North 
Anna  River,  May  24,  '64. 

Newton,  Charles  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64,  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  No.  8  Francis  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

O'Connor,  James:  age  42,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  rejected 
recruit,  and  dis.  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Connor,  Patrick:  age  18,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30/65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Kane,  Edward:  age  35,  res.  Pepperell,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  in  confinement,  July  30,  '65  (for  desertion)  ;  no  later  information. 

O'Malley,  James  :  age  27,  res.  South  Danvers,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Paddock,  Charles  F. :  age  18,  res.  Holden,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  dis.  disability 
May  30,  '65;  recent  address,  Uxbridge,  Mass. 


446  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Parsons,  John  A. :  age  37,  res.  Otis,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  rejected  recruit  and 
dis.  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Pattee,  John  F. :  age  22,  res.  Marlboro,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Peirce,  Royal  S.  :  age  44,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  died  May  31,  '71. 

Phillips,  Antonio  :  age  44,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64 ;  missing  May  6,  '64. 
(Prisoner  of  war  and  died  in  hands  of  enemy.) 

Pollock,  Joseph  :  age  26,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Porter,  George  H.  :  age  25,  res. [Reading,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Randall,  Charles  T.  :  age  27,  res.  Uxbridge,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.R.C.  April  10,  "'65,  Co.  B,  llth  Regt;  dis.  Aug.  8,  '65;  pres.  address, 
Princeton,  Mass. 

Rice,  Geo.  F.  :  age  20,  res.  CharlestowTn,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Robbins,  William:  age  36,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  11, '64:  missing  May 
6,  '64 ;  no  later  information ;  probably  killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness. 

Roland,  Louis  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  deserted  March 
31,  '64  ;  no  later  information. 

Saunders,  George  :  age  30,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;^trans.  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sawyer,  Josiah:  age  44,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  rejected  recruit 
and  dis.  June  29,  '64;  since  reported  dead,  date  unknown. 

Sawyer,  Warren  W. :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  Dec.  21,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sheffield,  John  A.  :  age  24,  res.  Northbriclge,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64:  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Smith,  Alpheus  M.  :  age  45,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
July  16,  '64,  orders  General  Dix;  recent  address,  North  Leominster,  Mass. 

Smith,  Edwin  H.  :  age  36,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  trans,  to  V.R.C. 
and  dis.  from  Co.  B,  24th  Regt.,  Aug.  2,  '65  ;  reported  dead,  date  unknown. 

Squires,  Truman:  age  18,  res.  Pelham,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  killed  at  Spott- 
sylvania,  Va.,  May  17,  '64. 

Swan,  James  S.  :*age  44,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  deserted  Feb. 
24,  '64 ;  no  later  information. 

Sullivan,  Jeremiah':  age  21,rres.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th "June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown 

Sullivan,  Jerry;  age  44,  res.  Westfielcl,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  missing  July 
30,  '64;  letter  from  War  Dept.,  Washington,  May  5,  '95,  gives  no 
further  information. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


447 


Sullivan,  Timothy  G.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  clis. 
order  War  Dept.  May  11,  '65;  pres.  address,  Washington  St.,  Worcester, 
Mass. 

Terrill,  Edward:  age  45,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  missing  July 
30,  '64  ;  no  later  information  ;  probably  killed  in  battle. 

Thompson,  Robert  :  age  27,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Thurston,  George:  age  20,  res.  Holden,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  died  of  wounds, 
at  Washington,  D.C.,  June  3,  '64. 

Tobey,  John  G. :  age  29,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Oct.  15,  '64. 'Special  Order  220,  A.G.O. ;  appointed  Acting  Assistant 
Paymaster  U.S.N. ;  honorably  must,  out  April  19,  '66;  pres.  address, 
88  State  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Wallingford,  Mark  F.  :  age  21,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Sept.  14,  '64;  clis.  ex  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Wallace,  Patrick:  age  22,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Ga.,  July  16,  '64. 

Warren.  Harris  C.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64:  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  May  24,  '65;  pres.  address,  Westboro,  Mass. 

Ward,  Peter:  age  25,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Waters,  Hugh:  age  29,  res.  AVorcester,  mustered  Jan.  4,  '64;  rejected  recruit 
and  dis.  June  29,  '64;  died  Aug.  6,  '84. 

Wilkins,  Archibald:  age  25,  res.  Brighton,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown 

Wilson,  George:  age  27,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 


COMPANY    C. 

Howard,  Charles,  Sergt.  :  age  23,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
deserted  April  1,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Kellog,  Charles  F.,  Sergt:  age  38,  res.  Amherst,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65  ;  no  other  record;  present  address, 
Springfield,  Mass. 

Knox,  Charles  F.,  Sergt. :  age  25,  res.  West  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
died  of  w'ds,  at  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64.  This  man  was  seen  by 
Lieut.  C.  H.  Royce,  57th,  May  6,  '64,^  lying  upon  the  battlefield  of  the 
Wilderness  with  a  bullet  hole  in  the  forehead,  and  was,  no  doubt,  in 
stantly  killed. 

Lovejoy,  Michael,  Sergt.  :  age  27,  res.  Sheffield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted 
May  10,  '65  ;  no  later  information  ;  possibly  died  in  rebel  prison. 


448  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Miller,  Joseph,  Sergt. :  age  27,  res.  South  Hartley,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died 
at  Anclersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  31,  '64. 

Adams,  Benjamin,  Corp. :  age  18,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  July  25,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Vine- 
land,  New  Jersey. 

Allman  Samuel,  Corp.  :  age  23,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  March  13,  '65  ;  present  address  unknown. 

Billings,  George,  Corp.:  age  22,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  Feb.  T8,  '64;  trans, 
to  V.R.C. ;  no  date  of  transfer  or  discharge. 

Cheney,  Frederick  S.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
killed  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  March  25,  '65,  Fort  Stedman. 

Dodge,  Amos  A.,  Corp. :  age  34,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  death  reported 
in  '84. 

Gallen,  Patrick,  Corp.  :  age  30,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65^  recent  address,  Grafton,  Mass. 

Holland,  John  B.,  Corp. :  age  29,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Pierce,  Stephen,  Corp.  :  age  21,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  address  was  Topsfield, 
Mass.,  at  present  unknown. 

Place,  Alonzo  H.,  Corp.:  age  23,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  May  18,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sanderson,  Henry  R.,  Corp.  :  age  21,  res.  Whately,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
disability  Dec.  3,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Smith,  Thomas,  Corp.  :  age  28,  res.  Methuen,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bryant.  Eleazer,  Mus.  :  age  17,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  recent  address,  Springfield,  Mass. 

Graves,  Edward  O.,  Mus.:  age  44,  res.  Hingham,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis. 
disability  June  22,  '65. 

Hayward,  Robert,  Mus.  :  age  16,  res.  Fall  River,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  un 
known. 

Ackley,  James  :  age  32,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,-  '65 ;  death  reported  at  reunion  of  '93. 

Bartrand,  Joseph  :  age  18,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Benois,  Joseph  :  age  19,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Bertrand,  Moses  :  age  24,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 


JOHN  H.  CASEY,  Co.  C,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  1864.  Inadvertently 
omitted  on  page  449  of  Roster  and  in  report  of  Casualties 
in  the  Wilderness  (pages  62  to  65) .  Discharged  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  Feb.  7,  1865,  on  account  of  wound. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


449 


Bird,  Frank:  age  IS,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at  Wilderness, 
Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Bishop,  Anson  J.  :  a<re  19,  res.  Gill,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Blanchard,  Louis:  age  26,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  to  date 
from  Jan.  3,  '65,  to  complete  his  military  record,  under  provisions  of 
Act  of  Congress  approved  April  5,  '84;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Booter,  Anson:  age  39,  res.  Bernardston,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Boyden,  William  :  age  36,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  6,  '65 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown;  name 
should  be  spelled  as  signed  on  rolls,  Bryden. 

Brazean,  Antoine  :  age  26,  res.  Hatfleld,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  res.  should  be  Hinsdale ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Brotgers,  Lewis:  age  23,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  at  Spott- 
sylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64;  res.  should  be  Hatfleld. 

Brown.  William:  age  26,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Buckley.  Jeremiah  :  age  35,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bugard,  John:  age  42,  res.  Westhampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted 
March  30,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bullis,  Jabez  :  age  38,  res.  Gill,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July 
30.  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Burno.  Charles:  age  28,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64:  deserted 
April  29,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  no  later  record. 

Busher,  Peter:  age  22,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  transferred 
to  V.R.C.  March  10,  '65;  no  other  record. 

Butler.  William  W. :  age  44,  res.  Southampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
disability  Feb.  9,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Cain.  John:  age  21,  res.  Wrentham,  mustered  Nov.  22,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  Jan.  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Casey,  John  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Lee.  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability  Feb. 
7,  '65;  pres.  address,  Lee,  Mass. 

Cate,  Lyman,  D.  :  age  21.  res.  Framingham,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Collins.  James  :  age  23,  res.  Sntton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Conway.  Edward:  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30.  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Croshier,  George  J.  :  age  18,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  at 
Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Daley,  John:  age  35,  res.  Shrewsbury,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Jan.  9,  '65;  died  in  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  Oct.  30,  '95. 

29 


450 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Day,  Charles  W. :  age  36,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64 ;  deserted  Feb. 
28,  '64;  address  unknown. 

Day,  Henry:  age  21,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at  Petersburg, 
Va.,  July  30,  '64. 

Dearborn,  John  A.  :  age  21,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30, '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Deargenon,  Joseph:  age  29,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dietrick,  Christopher:  age  30,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown 

Dorr,  Adam  :  age  34,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dyer,  John:  age  31,  res.  Tewksbury,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Edwards,  Rodney:  age  44,  res.  South  Reading,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  1865;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Ellis,  Albert  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Farris,  Daniel  P.  :  age  44,  res.  Uxbridge,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64 ;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  Aug.  15,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Faulkner,  Patrick  P.  :  age  21,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  un 
known. 

Finn,  Nicholas  :  age  34,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64 ;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Fitzgerald,  Patrick:  age  21,  res.  Groton,  mustered  Nov.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Flaviel,  Robert:  age  19,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  March 
16,  '64 ;  no  other  record. 

Fosgate,  Oliver:  age  43,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Frink,  Charles  F. :  age  20,  res.  Sheffield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  Feb. 
18,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Gallant,  Neill :  age  21,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gay,  George  H.  :  age  28,  res.  Natick,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  disability,  June 
22,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Natick,  Mass. 

Gillon,  James  :  age  21,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Glazier,  Danforth :  age  43,  res.  Westhampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  12,  '65. 

Gokey,  Joseph:  age  23,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  April 
20,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  no  later  information. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


451 


Goodhue,  Amos:  age  31,  res.  Rowley,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gray,  James:  age  29,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  April 
20,  '64  ;  bounty  jumper  ;  no  later  information. 

Gray,  Otis  W.  :  age  18,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Haas,  Frederick:  age  32,  res.  Charlestowu,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Harley,  Cornelius:  age  42,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  death  reported  at  reunion  of  '95. 

Hartwell,  Lawrence  :  age  21,  res.  Groton,  mustered  Nov.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  present  address  unknown. 

Hastings,  Russell:  age  34,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Henderson,  Samuel:  age  26,  res.  Georgetown,  mustered  Jan  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Holden,  Gustavas  S.  :  age  18,  res.  Holden,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Holden,  Mass. 

Holden,  Henry:  age  25,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Honte,  Joseph:  age  19,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  July  23, 
'64.  Charge  of  desertion  removed  by  Act  of  Congress  and  certificate  of 
discharge  furnished  to  date  from  July  23,  '64 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Huckins,  Randall:  age  28,  res.  Groton,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hughes,  John:  age  42,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Jones,  Frank:  age  33,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Kelly,  Michael:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  recent  address  Worcester,  Mass. 

Kinnerny,  George:  age  28,  res.  Warren,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

King,  Victor:  age  26,  res.  Webster,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability  July 
27,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

King,  George  :  age  20,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Knight,  Charles  A.:  a«-e  25,  res.  Westhampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans. 
to  V.R.C.  Jan.  10,  '65;  dis.  from  Co.  A,  14th  V.H.C.,  July  30,  '65;  pres. 
address  unknown. 

Kyle,  William:  age  26,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  :  pres.  address  unknown. 

Labombard,  Peter:  age  34,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 


452  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS 


Lappelle,  Cassimer :  age  26,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  absent  sick; 
clis.  Feb.  1,  '65  (L.W.D.  Nov.  17,  '94)  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lavonte,  David:  age  19,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  23,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lee,  William:  age  33,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65;  late  address,  13  South  Irving  Street,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Leroy,  Frank  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Lancaster,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  22,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Love,  John:  age  35,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability  May 
24,  '65;  record  from  dis.  papers;  recent  address,  Spencer,  Mass. 

McAlpin,  Moses  E.  :  age  27,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  Veteran  Co.  I, 
8th  Mass,  (nine  months)  ;  present  address  unknown. 

McKinney,  Michael :  age  40,  res.  Mendon,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Meatte,  Jacob  :  age  44,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Monney,  Peter  :  age  44,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at  Spott- 
sylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Morrisey,  James  :  age  40,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Murphy,  John:  age  21,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Nerny,  Francis  :  age  19,  res.  Waltham,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Newton,  John  :  age  28,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Neylon,  John:  age  44,  res.  Auburn,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  death  reported  at  reunion  of  '91. 

Norway,  James  :  age  19,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

O'Donnel,  Patrick:  age  35,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Dec.  13,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Osgood,  George  W. :  age  39,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  8,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Pecardet,  George:  age  32,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  April  6, '64 ;  dis.  disability 
March  29,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Pell,  William:  age  30,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  Feb.  18, '64;  deserted  March 
19,  '64  ;  no  later  record. 

Poisson.  Simon:  age  39,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  March 
16,  '64;  no  later  record. 

Powers,  James  G.  :  age  18,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  of  wounds 
at  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  2,  '64. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN. 


453 


Powers,  Michael:  age  40,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at  Dan 
ville,  Va.,  Nov.  21,  '64. 

Powers,  Michael:  age  25,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  'G5 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Prouty,  William  H.  :  age  23,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65.  Records  show  desertion  from  Co.  A,  10th  Mass., 
May  31,  '62;  deserted  from  57th  Oct.  30,  '64;  rejoined  from  desertion 
April  23,  '65,  and  mustered  out  with  Company:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Reynolds,  Edward  W.  :  age  27,  res.  Concord,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Car 
lisle,  Mass/ 

Rice,  Emery  L.  :  age  18,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at 
Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Rowland.  Joseph:  age  18,  res.  Deerfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Rowe,  Merwin  :  age  21,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30.  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Rutlege,  Thomas:  age  27,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  of  wounds 
at  Arlington,  Va.,  June  9,  '64. 

Ryan,  John  :  age  25,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18. '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ryan,  Michael  :  age  35,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30, '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sandy,  Gilbert:  age  19,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  7,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Saucy.  Edward:  age  18,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.,  Aug.  7,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Shailor,  Joseph  N.  :  age  45,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  June 
10,  '65,  per  G.O.  77,  War  Dept.  of  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Shehan,  Thomas:  age  22,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sherwin,  Waldo:  age  34,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at 
Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  18,  '64." 

Spooner,  Chas.  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Xatick,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  died  Oct.  31,  '93. 

Sykes,  Edwin:  age  29,  res.  Lancaster,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  July 
1.  '64;  possibly  prisoner  of  war;  no  later  information. 

Syncyr,  Joseph  A. :  age  33,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Jan.  11,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Taylor,  Peter:  age  22,  res.  Plainfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  rejected  recruit 
and  dis.  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Thurbur,  Edward:  age  23,  res.  Framingham,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Tilton,  James  F.  :  age  35,  res.  Concord,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 


454  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

"Wait,  Martin:    age  29,  res.  Bnckland,  mustered  Feb.   18,   '04;    dis.  disability 
Dec.  29,  'Oi ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Walch,  Patrick  D.  :  age  20,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Walker,  Gilbert  L.  :  age  18,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '05  ;  pres.  address,  North  Adams,  Mass. 

Walker,  John  F.  :  age  22,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  deserted  Feb. 
18,  '64:  no  later  record. 

Walsh,  John:  age  27,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '05;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Welton.  Walter  B.  :  age  38,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  May 
29,  '05;  died  Dec.  15,  '91. 

White,  Elbridge  :  age  27,  res.  Natick,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent,  July  30,  '05;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later  information. 

White,  George:  age  21,  res.  Needham,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  March 
6,  '64  ;  no  record  of  bounty ;  no  later  information. 

Wilcox,  Charles  H.  :  age  18,  res.  New  Marlboro,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Wilcox,  Henry  L.  :  age  42,  res.  New  Marlboro,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  9,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Willis,  George  :  age  38,  res.  Boltobi,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
July  30,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Wilson,  Hynes :    age  24,  res.  Northampton,  mustered   Feb.    18,  '04;    died   at 
Danville,  Va.,  Dec.  17,  '04. 

Winters,  James  :  age  21,  res.  Sheffield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  deserted  April 
2,  '04;  no  later  record. 

Zimmerman,  John:  age  41,  res.  Deerfield,   mustered  Feb.    18,  '04;    killed   at 
Wilderness,  Va.',  May  0,  '04. 


COMPANY   D. 

Williams,  Charles,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  New  Marlboro,  mustered  Feb.  18, 
'04 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July~30,  '05  ;  Vet.  Co.  E,  49th  Mass.  ;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Card,  Franklin  W.,  Sergt.  :  age  20,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '04; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '05 ;  death  reported  at  reunion  of  '91. 

Crosby,  John,  Sergt.  :  age  25,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '04;  died  of 
wounds  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  May  12,  '04. 

Donnelly,  John,  Sergt.:  age  30,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '04;  died 
at  Beverly,  N.J.,  Sept.  30,  '04. 

Goodell,  Myron,  Sergt.  :  age  21,  res.  Lanesborough,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '04;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  June  13,  '05 ;  Vet.  Co.  B,  49th  Mass. ;  death  reported 
at  reunion  of  1891. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  455 


Kelley,  John  H.,  Sergt.  :  age  32,  res.  Roxbury.  mustered  Feb.  9  '64;  clis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  'Go ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

May.  Henry  S.,  Sergt.  :  age  44,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed 
at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Stanton,  John,  Sergt.  :  age  22,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sweetser,  James  E.,  Sergt.:  age  33,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Davis,  William  P.,  Corp.  :  age  44,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  clis. 
order  War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  late  address, 
North  Reading,  Mass. 

Gallipaux,  Joseph,  Corp. :  age  21,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hodge.  George  H.,  Corp.:  age  23,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died 
of  wounds  at  Arlington,  Va.,  June  5,  '64. 

Kendall,  Theodore  B.,  Corp.:  age  20,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64; 
trans,  to  V.R.C.,  March  — ,  '65;  no  later  record. 

Lareby.  George  F.,  Corp.:  age  19,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  death  reported  with  date  unknown. 

McCurdy,  Robert  F.,  Corp.:  age  24,  res.  Alford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  June  13,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Great  Harrington,  Mass. 

Stone,  Charles  E.,  Cor]).:  age  26,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64; 
trans,  to  V.R.C. :  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Tyler,  Lester,  Corp.:  age  44,  res.  Pittsfleld.  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64:  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  (.5,  '64. 

Ward,  Wilbur  F.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64:  missing 
May  6,  '64;  probably  killed  in  Wilderness,  or  prisoner  of  war. 

Williams,  Benjamin  F.,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  New  Marlboro,  mustered  Feb.  18, 
'64:  dis.  order  War  Dept.  May  25,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Boyden.  Franklin,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  War 
Dept.  reports  show  that  he  died  Dec.  17,  '64,  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Byrne.  Jonathan  J.,  Mus.:  age  21,  res.  Egremont,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  de 
serted  Feb.  17,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Everett.  Chas.  F.,  Mus.:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64; 
wounded  and  died  upon  the  battlefield  of  Wilderness,  May  6,  '64. 

McMahon.  Martin,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Aug.  29,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  June  16,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Welch,  Morris,  Mus.:  age  18,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  death  reported  at  reunion  of  1891. 

Alconbright,  Daniel :  age  25,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted 
March  20,  '64  ;  no  later  information. 

Alconbright,  George  F.  :  age  29,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  de 
serted  March  20,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Alexander,  George  W.  :  age  44,  res.  Monterey,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  June 
29,  '64.  without  pay  or  other  allowances,  by  order  of  Gen.  Dix. 


456 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Allen,  Albert :  age  23,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Allen,  Harrison  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Charlton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ambrose,  Robert:  age  44,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Avery,  Peter:  age  44,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  V^et.  Co.  I,  49th  Mass;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bancroft,  George  :  age  19,  res.  Reading,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
Julj'  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  recent  address,  Woburn,  Mass. 

Barron,  William  :  age  21,  res.  Brookfield,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bassett,  Joseph:  age  28,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  March 
15,  '64  ;  no  later  information. 

Bates,  Charles  A. :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability 
March  18,  '65;  pres.  address,  203  Chandler  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Bills,  Charles  W.  :  age  18,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bills,  Henry:  age  30,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Bills,  Wilbur  H. :  age  23,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64:  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Blanchard,  James  H.  :  age  27,  res.  Watertown,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bradbury,  Jacob:  age  41,  res.  Essex,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  disability  June 
25,  '65  ;  wounded  June  17,  '64 ;  death  reported,  date  unknown  ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65. 

Brook,  Cornelius  :  age  21,  res.  Gloucester,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bryant,  Lyman  :  age  21,  res.  Hinsdale  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at  Anderson- 
ville,  Ga.,  July  27,  '64. 

Birmingham,  Frank:  age  37,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  5Dth  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Burroughs,  Nelson:  age  20,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at 
Worcester,  Mass.,  April  3,  '64. 

Bush,  Stephen  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.R.C.  and  hon.  dis.  from  8th  Co.  2d  Batt.  Aug.  9,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Carey,  Lockwood :  age  45,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  sent  to 
Readville,  Mass,  for  discharge  before  taking  the  field;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Clark,  John:  age  29,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  1st  Lieut.,  8th 
U.S.C.T.,  H.A.,  June  17,  '65;  must,  out  as  1st  Lieut.,  Feb.  10,  '66;  pres. 
address  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  457 


Cobleigh,  Henry  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04 :  killed 
at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  18,  '64. 

Cobleigh,  James  U.  :  age  18,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died 
July  30,  '64;  Surg.  Gen.'s  report  says  died  in  rebel  prison.  • 

Collins,  Henry  A.:  age  39,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Coster,  Matthew  P  :  age  21,  res.  Gloucester,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Cowden,  James  :  age  22,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  dis.  disability  July 
13,  '(54;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Curley,  John  :  age  37,  res.  Mendon,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War  Dept. 
June  6,  '(55  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Curley,  Thomas:  age  44,  res.  Upton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at  North 
Anna  River,  May  24,  '64. 

Dawley,  Delbert  S.  :  age  22,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  June  19,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Dougall,  Julius  :  age  18,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Finkle,  Martin  E.  :  age  22,  res.  Sheffield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  2,  '65,  for  disability;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Flynn,  Patrick:  age  30,  res.  Mil  ford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  12,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Fullerton,  Stewart  M.  G.  :  age  29,  res.  Egremont,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  sup 
posed  dead,  prisoner  May  6,  '64 ;  reported  death  confirmed  by  War  Dept. 
under  date  of  Sept.  27,  '95. 

Gilligan,  Matthew:  age  35,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gill,  William:  age  26,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information;  trans,  from  59th  June 
1, '65. 

Gregory,  Charles  C.  :  age  39,  res.  Sandisfield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Green,  George  E.  :  age  44,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information ;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65. 

Haines,  Charles  H.  :  age  24,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65. 

Harvey,  Charles:  age  20,  res.  West  Stockbridge,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Haskell,  David,  Jr.-  age  27,  res.  Otis,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  13,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hawes.  Edward  :  age  18,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  dishonorable  dis. 
June  29,  '64,  with  loss  of  all  pay  and  allowances,  by  order  of  Gen.  Dix; 
pres.  address  unkifown. 


458 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Hayes,  John  :  age  44,  res.  Salem,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64:  clis.  ex.  of  service  July 
30,  '05;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Henry,  Thomas:  age  27,  res.  Lenox,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  Jan. 
29,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Hulitt,  Orrin  :  age  41,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  clis.  disability,  no  date; 
pres.  address,  Lee,  Mass. 

Hinton,  John  E.  :  age  45,  res.  Sheffield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability 
April  18,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hodge,  James:  age  18,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  supposed  dead; 
prisoner  May  6,  '64 ;  no  later  information. 

Hudson,  George  N.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  recent  address,  Westboro,  Mass. 

Jacquins,  Egbert  S.  :  age  29,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died  at  Anderson- 
ville,  Ga.,  Aug.  15,  '64. 

Jordan,  Charles  A.  :  age  26,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  April 
17,  '64;  bounty  jumper ;  no  later  information. 

Jordan,  Erastus  C.  :  age  44,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  rejected  re 
cruit  and  discharged  June  13,  '64,  disability;  death  reported,  date  un 
known. 

Kelly,  Martin:  age  38,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted,  no  date 
recorded. 

Kirby,  Jacob  :  age  42,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64  ;  dis.  disability 
March  — ,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Knight,  Isaac  S.  :  age  45,  res.  Dunstable,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  disability 
June  10,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lament,  Daniel:  age  34,  res.  West  Stockbridge,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died 
Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  no  date  recorded. 

Larkins,  James  :  age  25,  res.  Lenox,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  Jan.  29,  '64: 
no  later  information. 

Lebounty,  John  :  age  19,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lee,  Saybrook:  age  39,  res.  Lenox,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  in  hands  of 
enemy;  no  date  recorded. 

Llewellyn,  Patrick:  age  18,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Long,  Thomas:  age  42,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.K.C.  Jan.  19,  '65. 

Maloney,  Henry  C.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '04;  died  of 
wounds;  no  date  recorded. 

Maloney,  William:  age  28,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  28,  '64;  died 
Sept.  18,  '64. 

Mambert,  Peter  J.  :  age  38,  res.  N.  Marlboro,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  19,  '65. 

Marshall,  Charles.  Jr.  :  age  30,  res.  Gloucester,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30.  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN. 


459 


McDonald,  Alfred:  age  34,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  clis.  order  War 
Dept.  July  19,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Merrill.  John  H.  :  age  34,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability  Oct. 
15,  '64:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Messer,  John  A.  :  age  38,  res.  Reading,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  19,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Mooney,  John:  age  19,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Morgan,  Ambrose  E.  :  age  20,  res.  Washington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed 
at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Morrissey,  Daniel:  age  25,  res.  Lenox,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  Jan. 
29,  '64:  no  later  information. 

Morse,  Newton:  age  31,  res.  Natick,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Moynahan,  Thomas:  age  41,  res.  Wayland,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '(55;  no  later  information. 

Oakes,  Ensign  A.:  age  18,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  of 
wounds  at  Fredericksburg,  Va. ;  no  date  recorded. 

O'Connor,  Timothy:  age  22,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  'C5  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Donahue,  John:  age  31,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Feb.  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Keefe,  Daniel:  age  18,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Feb.  20,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Neil,  John:  age  43,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  wounded, 
supposed  dead,  May  6,  '64.  Records  of  War.  Dept.  show  that  he  died 
upon  the  battlefield  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6,  '64. 

O'Sullivan,  John  :  age  43,  res.  Becket,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Parker,  Warren  C.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30.  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Patterson,  Henry:  aire  44,  res.  Sandisfleld,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  July  14,  '64. 

Pearl.  William  N.  :  age  26,  res.  Otis,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Otis,  Mass. 

Peck,  Thomas  J.  :  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  Aug.  8,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Perkins,  Henry  S.  :  age  24,  res.  Xewburyport,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 :  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Platt,  James:  age  44,  res.  Millbury.  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65:  death  reported  November.  1889. 

Radcliffe,  George  E.  :  age  40,  res.  Clielmsforcl,  mustered  Feb.  9, '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later 
information. 


460 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Rathburn,  William  H.  :  age  27,  res.  Stock  bridge,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  'Co  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Reagan,  John  :  age  44,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '04;  dis.  order  War  Dept. 
'65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Reardon,  Timothy:  age  27,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Reed,  Bradley:  age  44,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Reed,  Edwin  R.  :  age  23,  res.  N.  Marlboro,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  sup.  killed 
at  North  Anna  River,  Va.,  May  24,  '64:  no  later  information. 

Remick,  Augustus:  age  21,  res.  Graf  ton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Feb.  27,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Robbins,  Jeremiah:  age  27,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information.  Trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65. 

Satchell,  Dunham;  age — ,  res. —  — ,  enlisted  Feb.  9,  '64;  trans,  from 

59th   June  1,  '65;    dis.  ex.  of   service   July  30,  '65;     address  since  un 
known. 

Scriber,  Henry  C.  :  age  22,  res.  N.  Marlboro,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  June  13,' '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sears,  George  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  nothing  later. 

Shea,  John  :  age  22,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Soudant,  Joseph  :  age  18,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex- 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Spaulding,  William  A.:  age  24,  res.  Lenox,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted 
Jan.  29,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Staples,  Samuel :  age  26,  res.  Medford,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Stanwood,  William  :  age  38,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Stephens,  Rufus :  age  26,  res.  Charlton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Stover,  Simeon:  age  44,  res.  Monterey,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  ad 
dress  unknown  ;  no  later  information. 

Swift,  Silas  C.  :  age  24,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Townsend,  Almond  C.  :  age  19,  res.  Gt.  Barrington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64; 
transferred  to  V.R.C. ;  dis.  from  Co.  G,  9th  V.R.C.,  July  15,  '65;  record 
since  unknown. 

Triol,  William  :  age  18,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  19,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Viner,  Benjamin  A.:  age  28,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service,  absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


461 


Vinton,  George  :  age  32,  res.  Charlton,  mustered  Jan  25.  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Vocell,  James:  age  23,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.,  May  5,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Walker,  Ephraim  :  age  40,  res.  William stown,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  July  13,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Wallace,  Robert:  age  38,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Whitney,  George  A. :  age  25,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Willett,  Alfred:  age  18,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  May 
7,  '64  ;  no  later  information  ;  possibly  killed  or  pris.  of  war  in  Wilderness. 

Willey,  Hollis  H.  :  age  25,  res.  Medford,  mastered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Williams,  John  :  age  21,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  April  17, 
'64  ;  bounty  jumper  ;  no  further  record. 

Williams,  Thomas:  age  23,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 


COMPANY   E. 

Farnham,  Moses  L.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Andover,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64  ;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  July  1,  '65;  pres.  address, 
Andover,  Mass. 

Paine,  Horace  H.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  30,  res.  Belchertown,  enlisted  Oct.  28,  '63; 
dis.  order  War  Dept^  Aug.  7,  '65;  wounded  in  battle  of  Wilderness  and 
twice  in  battle  of  Fort  Stedman ;  recommended  for  a  commission  just 
prior  to  last  named  engagement;  pres.  residence,  Palmer,  Mass. 

Collins,  Edwin,  Sergt.  :  age  28,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64  ;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65:  address  soon  after  dis.,  Springfield,  Mass. 

Greeley,  J.  E.,  Sergt.  :  age  22,  res.  Royalston,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  Vet.  21st  Mass.;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Luscomb,  George  W.,  Sergt.  :  age  30,  res.  Salem,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Spanola,  Leon,  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Winchendon,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Arnold.  Henry,  Corp.  :  age  29,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan. "25,  '64;  deserted 
Nov.  29,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Coyne,  Patrick,  Corp.:  age  33,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  since  unknown. 

Desautell,  Henry  G.  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans, 
to  Co.  G,  24th  V.R.C.,  Feb.  15,  65;  dis.  July  27,  '65;  record  since, 
unknown. 


462  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Fuller,  Frank  D.,  Corp.  :  age  26,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Soldiers'  Home,  Togus,  Me. 

Hathaway,  Joshua,  Corp.:  age  44,  res.  Huntington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64; 
killed  at  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Mahony,  James,  Corp.:  age  33,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted 
April  16,  '64;  no  later  information. 

McCoy,  Alexander,  Corp.  :  age  32,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

McDavitt,  James,  Corp.:  age  23.  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

O'Brien,  William,  Jr.,  Corp.  :  age  19,  res.  South  Danvers,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres. 
address  unknown. 

Day,  Samuel,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Leary,  Daniel,  Mus.:  age  14.  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Speare,  Ephraim  W.,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Sullivan,  James,  Mus. :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Abbott.  Charles  :  age  25,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  deserted  April, 
'64;  bounty  jumper ;  no  later  record. 

Albert,  Charles  :  age  35,  res.  Waltham,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Alden,  George  M.  :  age  20,  res.  Wilbraham,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Anthony,  William  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
N.  Anna  River,  Va.,  May  24,  '64. 

Barrows,  William  R.  :  age  44,  res.  Belchertown,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis. 
disability  April  25,  '65;  death  reported,  date  unknown. 

Benroy,  Thomas :  age  26,  res.  Cummington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Blair,  Frank:  age  44,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Feb.  27,  '65;  death  reported,  date  unknown. 

Blauvelt,  William  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  21,  '65;  recent  address,  Cliff  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Brean,  Peter:  age  18,  res.  Buckland,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans,  to  V.R.C. 
March  15,  '65;  46th  Co.,  2d  Batt. ;  hon.  dis.  Sept.  7,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Brown,  John:  age  43,  res.  AVhately,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died  at  Anderson- 
ville,  Ga.,  Oct.  12,  '64. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


463 


Brown,  Seva :  age  33,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at  Wilderness, 
Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Brudean,  Alfred:  age  24,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '04;  deserted  Feb. 
2,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Bryant,  Nahum  :  age  36,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  trans,  to  V.R.C. 
April  25,  '65,  112  Co.,  2d  Batt. ;  hon.  dis.  as  Corp.  Aug.  23,  '65;  pres. 
address,  Springfield,  Mass. 

Bryan,  Michael:  age  30,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Burleigh,  Asa  D.  :  age  29,  res.  Worthington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.R.C. ,  Sept.  30,  '64,  Co.  I,  10th  Regt. ;  lion.  dis.  July  26,  '65;  death  re 
ported  at  reunion  of  '84  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Burr,  Charles:  age  42,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Cahill,  John:  age  21,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at 
Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Carpenter,  Andrew  N.  :  age  28,  res.  Monson,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted 
April  16,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  no  other  record  and  no  address. 

Cheeney,  George  N.  :  age  22,  res.  Northbridge,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.,  May  25,  '65;  wounded  June  17,  '64;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Cheeney,  George  W. :  age  19,  res.  Topsfield,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64:  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  8,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Coburn.  Joseph  :  age  22,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  Feb. 
18,  '64;  no  other  record  and  no  address. 

Coleman,  John  M.  :  age  44,  res.  Newburyport,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '64:  dis.  disa 
bility  July  28,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Collins,  Thomas  :  age  44,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Corbett,  John:  age  42,  res.  New  Braintree,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Cudworth,  Edwin:  age  20,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  March  25,  '65. 

Demarets,  Alexander:  age  21,  res.  West  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64; 
dis.  disability  May  2,  '65;  dis.  as  Oliver  De  Merrett;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Demort,  Henry:  age  22,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  Feb. 
20,  '64;  Rouses  Point  Canadian  :  no  other  record  and  no  address. 

Dennis,  William  :  age  35,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability 
Aug.  21,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  trans,  to  21st  V.R.C.  and  dis. 
Aug.  21,  '65. 

Dorman,  Anson  A.  :  age  34,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Belchertown,  Mass. 

Dorr,  Daniel  L.  :  age  39,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64:  dis.  disability 
June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 


464 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Drake,  Eleazer  C.  :  age  44,  res.  Monson,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Ga.,  June  30,  '64. 

Duncan,  Walter  H.  :  age  20,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  9,  '64;  pres.  address,  Indian  Orchard,  Mass. 

Duren.  Charles  C.  :  age  21,  res.  Groton,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64  ;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Durgin,  Thomas:  age  19,  res.  Salem,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Elliott,  George:  au'e  19,  res.  Buckland,  mustered  Feb.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Farrell.  Thomas:  age  24,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Finn,  Bartholomew:  age  22,  res.  Hatfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  missing  July 
30,  '64 ;  supposed  to  have  been  killed  in  battle. 

Ford,  Alden,  Jr.:  age  32,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  1,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  13,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  un 
known. 

Foster,  Alonzo  T.  :  age  35,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Foster,  Edward:  age  35,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  7,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gokey.  Benjamin:  age  18,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Gosler,  Oliver:  age  19,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  missing  May  24, 
'64  ;  no  other  record ;  deserted  ;  this  from  personal  memory. 

Gray,  John  :  age  32,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  Feb.  2, 
'64;  no  address  and  no  other  record. 

Halloran,  James  O.  :  age  24,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis. 
disability  Oct.  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Haley,  Jeremiah  :  age  25,  res.  Marlboro,  mustered  April  21,  '64 ;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  20,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hammond,  George  M.  :  age  22,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at 
battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Hapgood,  Henry  H.  :  age  41,  res.  Marlboro,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Hastings,  William  O.  :  age  35,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  5,  '64. 

Hazen,  Ralph:  age  40,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  12,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Howe,  Stephen  A.  :  age  22,  res.  Marlboro,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1, '65;  pres.  address,  Marlboro, 
Mass. 

Howath,  "William  :  age  33,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  Feb.  4.  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


465 


Hughes,  Thomas:  age  35,  res.  Monson,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  died  (reported  drowned)  at  Three  Rivers,  Mass. ;  date 
unknown. 

Jackson,  James  :  age  18,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  'G4 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Johnson,  Henry :  age  35,  res.  Charlestowu,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Jones,  Eben  :  age  44,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64  ;  dis.  disability  ;  no  date  ; 
no  later  information. 

Karrigan,  Martin:  age  34,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Feb.  8,  '64;  trans,  to  V.R.C.; 
dis.  July  25,  '65  ;  death  reported  without  date. 

Kenfield,  Henry  M.  :  age  30,  res.  Belchertown ;  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans, 
to  V.R.C. ;  14th  Co.,  2d  Batt. ;  hon.  dis.  Nov.  23,  '65. 

La  Bastions,  Joseph  :  age  26,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64  ;  deserted 
March  29,  '64 ;  Rouses  Point  Canadian  looking  for  bounty ;  no  other  record. 

Lane,  George  P.  :  age  35,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lapoint,  Joseph  E.  :  age  22,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Laraby,  Peter:  age  19,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Loker,  Loren  :  age  45,  res.  Princeton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Long,  James  :  age  20,  res.  Concord,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Longdt,  Joseph:  age  19,  res.  Wendell,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Lovett,  John  M.  :  age  38,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Mahan,  Thomas:  age  33,  res.  Princeton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  28,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Manly,  William  H.  :  age  23.  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  June  21,  '64;  did  not  go  with  the  regt.  to  the  field ;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Martins,  Newell  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

McCarty,  Michael:  age  35,  res.  New  Braintree,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  missing- 
May  24,  '64 ;  probably  killed  ;  no  later  information. 

McClellan,  Alexander:  age  30,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dishon.  dis. 
Sept.  15,  '65,  by  sentence  Gen.  Court  Martial;  pres.  address  unknown. 

McCoy,  Robert:  age  35,  res  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

McNamara,  John:  age  42,  res.  Cummington,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.R.C.,  14th  regt.,  Sept.  10,  '64;  dis.  July  31,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres. 
address  unknown. 

30 


466  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


McNamee,  Patrick:  age  32,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  trans. 
to  V.R.C.  K,  llth  regt.,  clis.  Aug.  8,  '65;  pres.  address,  Easthampton, 
Mass. 

Norcross,  Otis  C.  :  age  27,  res.  Upton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Murdock,  Charles  H.  :  age  30,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64:  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  Vet.  21st  Mass.;  wounded  in  battle  of  Chantilly; 
address,  Three  Rivers,  Mass. 

Murphy,  William:  age  23,  res.  Salem,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Nash,  Henry  H.  :  age  37,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

O'Connor,  Michael:  age  44,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

O'Keif,  Thomas:  age  28,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown.  t 

Parker,  Charles  H.  :  age  24,  res.  New  Braintree,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  May  18,  '65;  death  reported  in  '81. 

Pasco,  Cephas  B.  :  age  27,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  clis.  ex,  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  death  reported  in  '76. 

Pasco,  George  W.  :  age  19,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Pease,  John  P.  :  age  31,  res.  Natick,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  disability  June 
12,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address,  Portland.  Me. 

Peckham,  Henry  M.  :  age  28,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  .July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Peckham,  Samuel  H.  :  age  30,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  reported  as  having  died  while  prisoner  of  war  at 
Danville,  Va. ;  no  later  information. 

Pike,  Charles  F.  :  age  23,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to  4th 
Co.,  2d  Batt.,  V.R.C. ;  dis.  as  Corp.,  Sept.  6,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Proctor,  Alfred:  age  39,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  2,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ring,  Benjamin-  age  45,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  dis.  disability 
June  29,  '64;  did  not  go  to  the  front  with  regt. ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Roberts,  Thomas  H.  :  age  23,  res.  Berkley,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Rockwood,  Judson  A.  :  age  19,  res.  Hopkinton,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Rimbach,  Albert  J.  :  age  22,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  previous  service  in 
U.S.  Navy;  on  the  Niagara  as  first-class  musician  from  June  29,  '60,  to 
June  20,  '62;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Roster,  James  J.  :  age  31,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  12,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  un 
known. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


467 


Russell,  Loren  :  age  24,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ruth,  Richard  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  Gen. 
Dix,  June  13,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ryan,  James  B.  :  age  21,  res.  West  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  'G4 ;  dis.  disa 
bility  June  29,  '64;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Rockwood,  George  C.  :  mustered  Jan.  14-,  '64:  dis.  July  30,  '65,  as  absent  sick; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Sawyer,  Thomas  G.  :  age  18,  res.  Stow,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  2,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sharp,  Edward:  age  19,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  2,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Shea,  James:  age  22,  res.  Hatfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Short,  John  :  age  27,  res.  Orange,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  died  of  wounds  at 
Arlington,  Va.,  July  28,  '64. 

Smith.  Samuel  S.  :  age  40,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 :  former  address,  Leominster,  Mass. 

St  Dennis.  Alfred :  age  20,  res.  Buckland,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '(54 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

St.  Onge,  Charles:  age  22,  res.  Ashlield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted  April 
25,  '(14:  Canadian  bounty  jumper;  no  later  information. 

Sullivan,  Cornelius:  age  30.  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  deserted 
April  17,  '64:  Rouses  Point  bounty  jumper;  no  later  information. 

Sweeney,  Morgan:  age  21.  res.  Salem,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  7,  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Teague,  Charles  C.  :  age  26.  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30.  '65:  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address.  Salem, 
Mass. 

Thompson,  Asa:  age  34,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
May  18,  '65:  death  reported,  no  date. 

Timothy,  Thomas  :  age  44,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  March  1,  '65;  pres.  address,  Northampton,  Mass. 

Tollman,  David  H.  :  age  29,  res.  Ware,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disability 
June  13,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Turner.  Charles  M.  :  age  18,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  disa 
bility  June  29,  '64:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Turner,  Richard  S.  :  age  40,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Feb.  12,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Walsh,  Matthias:  age  27,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Lynn,  Mass. 

Welch,  Thomas  N.  :  age  18,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  missing 
July  30,  '64;  prisoner  of  war. 

Wetherby,  Warren  S.  :  age  30,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 


468 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


White,  Lorenzo:  age  23,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  G,  '64. 

Winch,  Joseph  B. :  age  24,  res.  Buckland,  mustered  Jan.  25, '64;   dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  15,  '65 ;  recent  address,  Leicester,  Mass. 

Young,  Joseph:  age  29,  res.  Orange,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dishonorably  dis. 
Feb.  9,  '65;  cause  unknown;  record  and  address  since  unknown. 


COMPANY   F. 

Bartlett,  James  F.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  24,  res.  Fitchburg,  mastered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Bigelow,  Calvin  A.,  1st  Sergt.:  age  21,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
dis.  as  supernumerary  June  13,  '(!5 ;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Davis,  Oscar  D.,  1st  Sergt.:  age  30,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
deserted  June  12,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Clark,  Caleb,  Sergt.:  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Farnsworth,  Rufus  G.,  Sergt.:  age  23,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
dis.  order  War  Dept.  June  28,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Hastings,  John  M.,  Sergt.  :  age  37,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  missing 
May  13,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Lang,  Thomas,  Sergt.:  age  21,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Richards,  John,  Sergt.  :  age  29,  res.  Newbury,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Vickery,  Charles  W.,  Sergt.  :  age  18,  res.  Hancock,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service,  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Burke.  John,  Corp.:  age  36,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service,  July,  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Davis.  Freeman,  Corp.:  age  21,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness  May  6,  '64. 

Dunn,  William  S.,  Corp.:  age  23,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
disability  Nov.  30,  '64;  pres.  address,  Marlboro,  Mass. 

Farrill,  Martin,  Corp.:  age  24,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Southwick,  Francis,  Corp.:  age  21,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  June  10,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Flynn,  James  F.,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Eoxbury,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address, 
Roxbury,  Mass. 

Hall,  Rodney,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


469 


Wetherbee,  Warren  S.,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64; 
clis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Allen,  Horace  B.  :  age  19,  res.  Wendell,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64:  clis.  order 
War  Dept.  Aug.  10,  '05;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  'Go;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Babbitt,  Charles  W.  :  age  30,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  order 
General  Auger,  Jan.  27,  'Go;  death  reported  Sept.  10,  '86. 

Bachant.  Joseph  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '05  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Baker,  John  :  age  22,  res.  Button,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04,  deserted  April  10,  '04; 
bounty  jumper;  no  later  record. 

Barnes,  Charles  H.  :  age  27,  res.  Gardner,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  July  7,  '05;  pres.  address,  Furnace,  Worcester  County,  Mass. 

Barnes,  Willard  F.  :  age  25,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '05 ;  pres.  address,  Standish,  Me. 

Bartlett.  George  A.:  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Concord,  Mass. 

Barry,  Edward:  age  21,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '04;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  July  10,  '05 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '05 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Barry,  Michael:  age  40,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '04;  died  in  rebel 
prison ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  'G5 ;  notice  of  death  received  War 
Dept.  June  19,  '65. 

Beckwith,  Herbert  D.  :  age  21,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  died  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  Jan.  18,  '05. 

Benson,  William  G.  :  age  34,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '05 ;  no  later  information ;  pres.  residence, 
Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Blood,  Charles  F.  :  age  21,  res.  Burlington,  mustered  Feb.  13,  '05;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '05 ;  enlisted  for  one  year ;  death  reported  Dec.  27,  '87. 

Bourdon,  Augustine:  age  18,  res.  Windsor,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '05;  pres.  address,  311  Adams  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Brannon,  Patrick:  age  42,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '05;  death  reported  Feb.  21,  '90;  name  recorded  at  War 
Dept  as  Brannon,  but  he  signed  rolls  as  Brennan. 

Brennan.  Gerold :  age  32,  res.  Stoughton,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Brennan,  Patrick:  age  21,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Brigham,  Ozro  A.:  age  39,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  killed  at 
Fort  Stedman,  Va.,  March  25,  '05. 

Brown,  Robert:  age  22,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '05 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Bruce,  John:  age  34,  res.  Burlington,  mustered  Feb.  20,  'G4;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 


470 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT  MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Byron,  John:  age  18,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Carey,  James:  age  19,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  26,  '65  ,  pres.  address  unknown. 

Carey,  Michael:  age  25,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  recent  address,  Medwray,  Mass. 

Casey,  John  :  age  26,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Changyon,  Joseph:  age  21,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Changyon,  Levi :  age  22,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  March 

13,  '64;  since  unknown. 

Changyon,  William  :   (res.  and  age  unknown)  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  Nov. 

14,  '64,  by  order  War  Dept.  ;    since  unknown. 

Classon,  Henry:  age  38,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Clancy,  Peter:  age  18,  res.  Newburyport,  mustered  Feb.  20, '64;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  7,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Clarage,  William  :  age  40,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Costello,  Thomas  T.  :  age  28,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Coughlin,  John:  age  43,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Crawford,  John  S.  :  age  22,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  April 
17,  '64;  bounty  juniper;  no  later  record. 

Daley,  Charles:  age  33,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent,  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Day,  David  S.  :  age  25,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ;  (Corporal)  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  :  recent  address, 
120  Bartlett  St.,  Charlestown,  Mass. 

Delany,  John:  age  31,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  May  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Derx,  Conrad  N. :  age  18,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Derby,  Edward  M.  :  age  30,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at 
Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Dolan,  Timothy:  age  26,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  address  prior  to  '90,  Clinton,  Mass;  since  unknown. 

Edgecomb,  George  R.  :  age  35,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  death  reported  in  Fitchburg,  May  2,  '73. 

Ellis,  Alfred  G. :  age  20,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  471 


Fabyan,  Joseph:  age  42,  res.  Western,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  50th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Flagg.  Edwip  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  disability 
May  25,  '65;  died  at  Fitzwilliam,  N.H.,  of  blood  poison,  caused  by 
wound  in  the  hip  received  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  '64; 
date  of  death  April,  '96. 

Flanders,  Wallace  W. :  age  23,  res.  Salisbury,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;   dis.  ex. 

of  service  July  30,   '65;    trans,  from  59th  June    1,   '65;    pres.   address 

unknown. 
Frost,  James  M. :  age  18,  res.  Washington,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order 

War  Dept.  July  3,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Fuller.  Henry:  age  28,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  May  25,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Farnsworth,  Joseph  W.  :  age  19,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  April  16,  '64;  dis. 
June  2,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  403  Crescent  St.,  Waltham, 
Mass. 

Flaherty.  Bartery  :  age ,  res.  —  — ,  enlisted  in  59th  Mass.  Feb.  15,  '64  ; 

trans,  to  57th  June  1,  '65;  must,  out  by  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  since 
unknown. 

Gaul,  John:  age  27,  res.  Brookfleld,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Gardner.  Horace  O.  :  age  19,  res.  Hancock,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gerran.  Ezra:  age  24,  res.  Yarmouth,  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown 

Gibbons,  Daniel:  age  19,  res.  Ashby.  mustered  Feb.  9,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Goddard,  Wesley  D.:  age  39,  res.  Royalston,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  18,  '64;  mortally  wounded  by  the  explosion  of  a 
shell  from  a  Confederate  battery  while  on  duty  in  the  trenches  in  front 
of  Petersburg.  Va. 

Gove,  Alfred  E.  :  age  19,  res.  Milford,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65  :  wounded  May  6,  '64,  and  March  25,  '65  ;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Gould,  Austin  K.  :  age  18.  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  17,  '65 ;  pris.  of  war  at  Andersonville,  Ga. ;  died  Sept.  8,  '93. 

Hanrahan,  Edward:  age  40,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  death  reported  in  '90. 

Harrington,  Clement  A.:  age  18,  res.  Koxbury,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis. 
order  War  Dept.  Aug.  8,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  :  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Harris,  Michael:  age  34,  res.  Longmeadow,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  of 
wounds  at  Fredricksburg,  Va.,  May  12,  '64. 

Harris,  Thomas  W.  :  age  26,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  address  previous 
to  '90,  Woburn,  Mass. ;  since  unknown. 

Hennessey,  John  :  age  37,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 :  death  reported  at  reunion  of  '94. 


472 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Henry,  George  A.:  age  21,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to 
Co.  K,  22d  V.R.C.,  Sept.  2,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  9,  '65;  pres.  address,  15  Austin 
St.,  Cambridgeport,  Mass. ;  lias  been  carried  on  record  in  War  Dept.,  as 
John  A.  Henry,  but  mistake  recently  corrected.  (L.W.D.,  Nov.  14,  '92.) 

Hosea,  Robert  :  age  19,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  127  Chelsea 
St.,  East  Boston,  Mass. 

Hoyt,  John  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Humphrey.  Thomas:  age  19,  res.  North  Bridgewater,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Huntress,  William  H.  :  age  23,  res.  Haverhill,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  since  must,  out 
unknown. 

Keene,  Granville  H.  :  age  36,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64 :  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address,  Water- 
town,  Mass. 

Keilty,  Daniel:  age  40,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  missing  May  6, 
'64 ;  no  later  information ;  probably  killed  or  prisoner  of  war  at  Wilder 
ness. 

Larew,  Isaac  J.  :  age  35,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Lawless,  John:  age  36,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Luchay,  Abraham:  age  21,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  missing  May 
6,  '64;  no  later  information;  probably  killed  in  Wilderness,  or  prisoner 
of  war. 

Lund,  John  T.  :  age  19,  res.  Winchendon,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64  ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  since  dis.  unknown. 

Maynard,  John  P.  :  age  38,  res.  Dudley,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  killed  at  Wilder 
ness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

McCarthy,  Patrick:  age  29,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at 
Washington,  D.C.,  July  5,  '64. 

McCorkell,  William  :  age  18,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  res.  Stoughton, 

Mass. 

McDowell,  John  :  age  20,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

McGonn,  Michael:  age  39,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Aug.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  15,  '65 ;  res.  Easthampton,  Mass. 

Mclntire,  Albion:  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to  Co. 

B,  llth  V.R.a,  May  6,  '65;  dis.  Aug.  8,  '65;  recent  address,  Worcester, 

Mass. 
McMaster,  George  C.  :  age  34,  res.  Sturbridge,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  missing 

May  6,  '64;  no  later  information;  probably  killed  or  prisoner  of  war  in 

Wilderness. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


473 


McSherry,  John  :  age  33,  res.  Shelburne,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Miles,  Michael:  age  40,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  missing  July 
30,  '04 ;  no  later  information ;  probably  killed  or  prisoner  of  war  in 
Wilderness. 

Murray,  Timothy:  age  30,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  'Go ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Nickerson,  Albert  M. :  age  21,  res.  Sheffield,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  28,  'Go;  pro.  to  Corp.  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Norwood,  George:  age  39,  res.  Bernardston,  mustered  Dec.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '05;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Nourse,  Stephen  H.  :  age  36,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  death  reported  May  16,  '90. 

O'Brien,  Darby:  age  21,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  Petersburg, 
Va.,  killed  on  picket  duty  July  5,  '64. 

O'Donnell,  Michael :  age  30,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  order  War 
Dept.  June  10,  '05 ;  death  reported  May  15,  '79. 

Parks.  Frederick  W.  :  age  19,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  died  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  March  25,  '65;  killed  in  battle  of  Fort  Stedman,  Va. 

Peabody,  William  T.  :  age  44,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18, '64;  died  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.fSept.  2,  '04. 

Pine,  Edmund :  age  26,  res.  Westfleld,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65  ;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Ploof,  Louis  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted 
March  29,  '64;  record  in  civil  life  unknown. 

Portland,  Patrick:  age  31,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  disability 
July  13,  '65;  pres.  address,  122  Salem  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Putney,  Burrill :  age  35,  res.  South  Danvers,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  'Go;  former  address, 
Woburn,  Mass. 

Raymond.  Oren  T.  :  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '04;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness  May  0,  '04. 

Raymond,  Peter:  age  21,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  since  dis.  unknown. 

Richards,  James:  age  19,  res.  Lee,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  missing  May  G,  '64; 
killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Roche,  Redmond:  age  31,  res.  Dudley,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Ryan,  Charles:  age  18,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65 ." 

Ryan,  Martin:  age  29,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  missing  June 
17,  '64 ;  no  later  information  ;  probably  killed  in  battle  or  prisoner  of  war. 

Sabin,  George  F.  :  age  20,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to  Co. 
B,  19th  V.R.C.,  Jan.  28,  '65;  dis.  as  Sergt.  Aug.  30,  '65;  pres.  address, 
Fitchburg,  Mass. 


474 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Sawyer,  Edgar  F.  :  age  26,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  clis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65 ;  death  reported  May  14,  '94. 

Seward,  Garland  S.  :  age  43,  res.  Dennis,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sherman,  Edwin  P.  :  age  30,  res.  Adams,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Sheahen,  Redmond:  age  21,  res.  Bolton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  deserted  April 
23,  '64 ;  obtained  bounty  and  deserted ;  since  unknown. 

Simmons,  Wesley  T. :  age  18,  res.  Washington,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Skye,  William:  age  29,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at  Wash 
ington,  D.C.,  June  6,  '64. 

•  Smith,  Herman  J.  :  age  27,  res.  Sandwich,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65:  pres.  address  unknown. 

Southey,  John:  age  22,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  wounded,  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Stevens.  Alden  W.  :  age  21,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.RC.,  Aug.  26," '64;  dis  from  59th  Co.  (Sergt.)  Aug.  23,  '65;  recent 
address,  Soldiers'  Home,  Togns,  Me. 

Sterner.  Matthew :  age  24,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  Feb.  18,  ?64 ;  dis.  disa 
bility  Aug.  25,  '64;  record  since  dis.  unknown;  address  unknown. 

Stock,  Henry  :  age  22,  res.  Hancock,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  record  and  res.  since  discharge  unknown. 

Sullivan,  John:  age  29,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '(55;  death  reported,  no  date. 

Sweet,  Daniel  J.  :  age  18,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64:  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  Oct.  3,  '64;  by  order  of  the  President;  pardoned  for  desertion 

Turner,  William  A.  :  age  26,  res.  Belmont,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64 ;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Twiss,  James  P.:  age  31,  res.  Longmeadow,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at 
Washington,  D.C.,  Aug.  2,  '64-. 

Wade,  Charles  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Watts,  George  :  age  23,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  died  at  City 
Point,  Va.,  July  22,  '64. 

Wilkins,  Aaron:  age  42,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to  38th 

Co.,  2d  Bat'n,  V.R.C.;  pro.  Corp.,  dis.  April  7,  '65;  death  reported  Aug. 

5,  '87. 
Wilkins,   Henry  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Feb.  18,  '64;  trans,  to 

Co.  G,  10th  V.R  C.,  Oct.  4,  '64;  dis.  order  War  Dept.  July  26,  '65;  death 

reported,  no  date. 

Willoughby,  Edward  R.  :  age  38,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address, 
Woburn,  Mass. 

West,  Charles  :  age  22,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65:  dis.  May  15,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  did  not  join  the  57th; 
record  and  address  since,  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


COMPANY    G. 


475 


Vaughn,  Smith,  1st  Sergt. :  age  28,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  March  4, '64; 
clis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  record  and 
residence  since  clis.,  unknown. 

Burke.  Cyrus  H.,  Sergt.  :  age  31,  res.  Topsfleld,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July ^30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  record  and  res 
idence  since  dis.,  unknown. 

Carter,  Elbridge,  Sergt.  :  age  22,  res.  Wayland,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  recent  address, 
Cochituate,  Mass. 

Ewell,  Frederick  H.,  Sergt.:  age  21,  res.  Marshfleld,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  in  Co.  K,  July  30,  '65;  recent  address,  Marshfleld, 
Mass. 

Hutchins,  Henry  E.,  Sergt.  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10.  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Jordan,  Thomas  G.,  Sergt,  :  age  24,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 
dis.  disability  Jan.  25,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Trowbridge.  Charles  A.,  Sergt.:  age  36,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  March 
10.  '64;  dis.  order  War  Dept.  June  19,  '65;  record  since,  unknown. 

Allen.  Alfred  M..  Corp.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  rec.  since,  unknown. 

Corson,  Abraham,  Corp.  :  age  35,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Fales.  Henry  M.,  Corp.  :  age  23,  res.  Holden,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  at 
Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Hamlin.  Charles.  Corp.  :  age  2],  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  pres.  residence,  1155  Wilcox  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Trefry.  John,  Corp.  :  age  25,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Tuttle,  John  E.,  Corp.  :  age  39,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed 
at  Wilderness.  Va.,  May  6,  '64.  The  son  of  this  man  resides  on  Wash 
ington  Ave.,  Waltham,  Mass.,  named  Charles  Tuthill,  and  claims  that 
his  father's  name  was  "Tuthill,"  instead  of  "Tuttle,"  but  the  Adjutant- 
General's  records  show  that  he  signed  his  name  "Tuttle." 

Welsh.  Daniel.  Corp.  :  age  21,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65:  address  for  some  time  after  dis.,  Springfield, 
Mass.,  at  present  unknown. 

Worthy.  William,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Williamstown,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 
clis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Dearborn,  George  E.,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Taunton,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service,  July  30,  '65;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  pres.  address 
unknown. 

Rodier,  Lewis,  Mus.  :  age  15,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10, '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65.  ex.  of  service  in  Co.  C;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Adams.  Charles  O.  :  age  19,  res.  New  Braintree,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
disability  Jan.  14,  '65;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 


476 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Barton,  Chas.  H.  :  age  27,  res.  Hadley,  mustered  April  G,  '04;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Bovia  Lewis  :  age  42,  res.  West  Brookfleld,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  died  in 
Washington,  D.C.,  July  20,  '65. 

Boulett.  Fortuna:  age  18,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  March  10,  'G4  :  dis.  for  disa 
bility  May  30,  '65;  former  address,  Spencer,  Mass. 

Bourne,  William  S.  :  age  18,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  the  Wilderness  May  6,  '64. 

Brown,  Charles  M. :  age  18,  res.  Winchendon,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died 
May  14,  '64  ;  place  and  cause  unknown. 

Bullard,  Charles:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65;  recent  address  14  Birch  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Burgess,  Abraham  :  age  31,  res.  Somerset,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Butler,  John  D.  :  age  18,  res.  Newbury,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Cahill,  James  :  age  21,  res.  Haverhill,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65:  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Callahan,  Thomas  :  age  38,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  March  4,  '64 ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Cashman,  Michael :  age  36,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  March  4,  '64 ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Champney,  Augustus:  age  18,  res.  Adams,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  Aug. 

6,  '64,  at  Richmond,  Va.,  while  prisoner  of  war. 

Charlesworth,  David:  age  35,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  March  10,  '64:  dis.  July 
12,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  no  later  information. 

Cleveland,  William  E.  :  age  23,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  missing 
in  battle  of  Fort  Stedman,  Va.,  March  25,  '65;  dis.  at  Annapolis,  Md., 
June  2,  '65,  by  General  Order  No.  77,  War  Dept.  '65;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Connell,  Charles:  age  26,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Connor,  Humphrey:  age  24,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  June 
29,  '65,  by  order  War.  Dept. ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Cooley,  Francis  F. :  age  26,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65;  by  ex.  of  service;  late  residence,  Belchertown,  Mass. 

Covell,  Augustus  T. :  age  20,  res.  Gardner,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  Sept. 

7,  '64,  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Covell,  John  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Gardner,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  by  ex.  of  service,  as  absent  sick,  no  later  information. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


477 


Curtis.  David  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Douglas,  mustered  March  10,  '04;  clis.  July  30, 
'G5,  by  ex.  of  service,  as  absent  sick,  no  later  information. 

Dailey.  Cornelius  J.  :  age  35,  res.  Orange,  mustered  March  10,  '04;  dis.  July  30, 
'65.  by  ex.  of  service,  recent  address,  Brushton,  N.Y. 

Damon.  George  B.  :  age  19,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  March  10,  '04;  deserted 
April  23,  '(54;  no  record  of  bounty;  recent  address,  Leominster,  Mass. 

Danyon,  Horace  :  age  21,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  in  Wash 
ington,  D.C.,  July  18,  '64. 

Davenport,  Elisha  C. :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  killed  in 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Day,  William  :  age  19,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64.  (In  Co.  C.) 

Donovan.  Dennis:  age  19,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65,  as  absent  sick,  death  reported  at  regimental  reunion 
of  '94. 

Drake,  William  M.  :  age  23,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  June 
17,  '65;  by  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Ewell,  Isaiah  A. :  age  19,  res.  Marshfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  clis.  for  dis 
ability,  Co.  K,  Dec.  28,  '64;  pres.  address,  Marshfield,  Mass. 

Ewell.  Melvin  :  age  26,  res.  Marshfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  trans,  to  V.R.C. 
and  dis.  from  23d  Co.,  2d  Batt.,  Aug.  12,  '65  ;  no  date  of  trans. ;  death 
reported  in  1891. 

Fessenden,  Thomas:  age  18,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis.  July 
30.  '65,  by  ex.  of  service  ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Fitzgerald.  Garrett :  age  21.  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  May  23, 
'65,  for  disability;  pres.  address,  175  Bridge  St.,  Salem,  Mass. 

Fitts,  Lyman  B.  :  age  26,  res.  Marshfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65  (from  Co.  K),  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Flagg,  William  H.  :  age  29,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  for 
disability  June  7,  '65;  death  reported  Jan.  1,  '71. 

Flanagan.  William:  age  19.  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness  May  6,  '64. 

Fleming.  John:  age  30,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  by  order 
War  Dept.,  July  3,  '65  ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Fletcher.  Lorenzo:  age  19,  res.  Nortliboro,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  in 
Washington,  D.C.,  May  10,  '64. 

Fogerty.  Andrew :  age  39,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  March  4,  '64 ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Foss.  Charles  H.  :  age  39.  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  recent  address, 
Woburn,  Mass. 

Frelick,  Charles  W. :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  died  from 
wounds  received  in  battle,  in  Washington,  D.C.,  June  27,  '64. 


478  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Fuller,  Moses  F. :  age  28,  res.  Sherborn,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  clis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Gaskell,  John  N. :  age  37,  res.  Douglas,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in  battle 
of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  1,  '64. 

Goff,  Frederick  E. :  age  18,  res.  Westfleld,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  death  reported  at  Westfleld,  Mass.,  Aug.  10,  '95. 

Gubbins,  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Littleton,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown, 

Hadley,  Cyrus:  age  40,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted  Feb. 
1,  '05,  from  Dale  Gen.  Hosp.,  Worcester,  Mass. ;  no  later  record. 

Ham,  John  :  age  21,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  deserted  April  23,  '64; 
bounty  jumper  ;  no  later  record. 

Harvey,  John  F. :  age  22,  res.  Medfteld,  mustered  March  4,  '64 ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65  ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  as  absent  sick;  no  later  information. 

Hawkins,  Luther  C.  :  age  4?,  res.  Dudley,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  for 
disability  June  19,  '65  ;  death  reported  in  '75. 

Hayes,  James  :  age  24,  res.  Abington,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Hillard,  Joseph  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Rockport,  mustered  March  4,  '64:  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  for  disability  June  10,  '65  ;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Hood,  Thomas  R.  P.:  age  29,  res.  South  Reading,  mustered  March  4,  '64; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  by  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record 
and  address  since,  unknown. 

Horton,  Joseph:  age  25,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  June  2, 
'64,  in  Washington,  D.C.,  cause  unknown. 

Hyde,  William:  age  18,  res.  Somerville,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Hume,  Robert:  age  18,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  by  reason  of  ex.  of  service;  record 
and  address  since,  unknown. 

Kehoe,  Mark:  age  35,  res.  Dedham,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  as  absent  sick,  July  30,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Kennedy,  Patrick:  age  27,  res.  Abington,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  20,  '65,  for  disability;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Kimball,  Herman  :  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Laley,  Frank:  age  23,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  June  1,  '65, 
order  War  Dept.  (pris.  of  war)  ;  record  and  address  unknown. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN.  4791 

Lashua,  Frank:  age  21,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  May  6, 
'64,  in  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

Lee,  Dennis  :  age  44,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  of  wounds 
received  in  action  Sept.  7,  '64,  in  Washington,  D.C. 

Leland,  Abner  A.:  age  44,  res.  Douglas,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  in 
Petersburg,  Va.,  June  22,  '64;  cause  unknown ;  probably  of  wounds  re 
ceived  in  action. 

Leslie,  James:  age  28,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  March  25, 
'65,  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Lewis,  Timothy  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Westport,  N.H. 

Leyden,  Daniel :  age  24,  res.  Abington,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Longfellow.  Theodore:  age  24,  res.  Somerset,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service ;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Lord,  Alvin  :  age  22,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Lowe,  James  :  age  34,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex. 
of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Mallet,  Masial:  age  20,  res.  West  Brookfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  May 
20,  '64,  at  Washington,  D.C. 

McCarthy,  Dennis:  age  33,  res.  Abiugton,  mustered  Feb.  24,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '(55,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Melvin,  Michael:  age  19,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  as  absent  sick;  no  later  information. 

Miller,  Wallace  T.  :  age  22,  res.  Abington,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  (cause 
not  stated)  Jan.  25,  '65,  in  Co.  K;  present  address,  Rev.  W.  T.  Miller, 
Springfield,  Mass. 

Monahan,  Daniel:  age  35,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted 
April  3,  '64;  no  record  of  bounty;  no  other  information. 

Monroe,  George  A.  :  age  20,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  dis.  June  21, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Morrissey,  John  :  age  25,  res.  Uxbriclge,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  May  22,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  died  March  17,  '92. 

Morrissey,  Martin  :  age  43,  res.  Billerica,  mustered  Feb.  4,  '(54  ;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65  ;  dis.  May  22,  '(55,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Moulton,  N.  Austin:  age  41,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Brimfield,  Mass. 

Mountain,  Lewis  :  age  22,  res.  Douglas,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30T 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Douglas,  Mass. 


480  FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Mulstead,  Richard:  age  40,  res.  Southboro,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  May 
24,  '64,  in  battle  of  North  Anna  River,  Va. 

Needham,  James  N. :  age  28,  res.  New  Braintree,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service  in  Co.  K;  recent  address,  New  Braintree, 
Mass. 

Nettleton,  Joseph  S. :  age  21,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  March  4,  '64 ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  28,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  ad 
dress  since,  unknown. 

O'Connor,  Daniel  F. :  age  18,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65,  and  dis.  July  30,  '65,  as  absent  wounded;  no  later 
information. 

Parker,  Carlos  A.  :  age  26,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  dis.  July 
12,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept.  as  supernumerary  (dis.  as  corporal) ;  record 
and  address  since,  unknown. 

Parker,  Roswell :  age  42,  res.  Greenfield,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Patterson,  James  W. :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  Aug. 
8,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept.;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Phelps,  Oscar  B. :  age  23,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service,  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Pike,  Horace  S. :  age  18,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  as  Sergt. 
June  21,  '65,  by  Order  No.  77  War  Dept.,  A.G.O.,  1865,  as  supernumerary, 
by  reason  of  consolidation;  recent  address,  No.  12  Townsend  St., 
Worcester,  Mass. 

Pulsifer,  George  S. :  age  24,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  for  disability  June  9,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept.; 
record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Putnam,  Rufus  E. :  age  18,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  trans,  to  Co. 
II,  9th  V.R.C.,  Jan.  21,  '65;  dis.  July  21,  '65;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Ramsdell,  Cyrus  R. :  age  18,  res.  Wilbraham,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  in 
Washington,  D.C.,  Oct.  17,  '64,  from  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Reed,  George  E. :  age  19,  res.  West  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  killed 
in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Richmond,  Jason  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Robinson,  Francis  A.:  age  22,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  ad 
dress  since,  unknown. 

Roe,  Patrick  M.  :  age  23,  res.  Sharon,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  for  disability  July  11,  '65;  record  and  address  since,  un 
known. 

Rosette,  Victor:  age  33,  res.  South  Hadley,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  in 
Washington,  D.C.,  May  16,  '64,  cause  unknown. 

Rumney,  Edwin  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  as 
Sergt.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  481 


Sargent,  Simon  B.  :  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  clis.  Aug. 
8,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  215  Pleasant  St.,  Worcester, 
Mass. 

Seuce,  Lewis:  age  21,  res.  Gloucester,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Shehan,  Timothy  :  age  24,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Smith,  Frank  :  age  19,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted  April 
23,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  no  later  information. 

Smith,  Thomas  :  age  43,  res.  Boston,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  Aug.  10,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  address  since, 
unknown. 

Soulie,  Frederick:  age  31,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  trans,  to 
Co  D,  19th  V.R.C.;  dis.  as  Sergt.  July  31,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record 
and  address  since,  unknown. 

Stackpole,  Charles  A.  :  age  31,  res.  Boston,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  Mass.  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  resi 
dence  since,  unknown. 

Starr,  Joseph  J.  :  age  34,  res.  Westfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  of 
wounds  received  in  battle  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Stevens,  Charles:  age  21,  res.  Ilaverhill,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Stevens,  James  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Sullivan,  Daniel:  age  24,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  as 
Corp.  May  25,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  present  address,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Sullivan.  George:  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Taft,  Alfred  C.  :  age  21;  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted 
April  25,  '64.  and  enlisted  for  three  years  under  the  name  of  George 
Jennings,  May  14,  '64,  in  Co.  B,  llth  Conn.  Vols.;  deserted  from  this 
regt.  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  5,  '64;  surrendered  to  Provost 
Marshal  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  March  28,  '65,  as  of  Co.  G,  57th,  dis.  with 
Co.,  ex.  of  service,  July  30,  '65 ;  received  bounty  for  enlistment  in  57th, 
but  no  record  to  show  what  the  State  of  Conn,  paid  him;  this  record 
of  desertion  is  from  War  Dept.  in  Washington ;  no  additional  informa 
tion  as  to  how  he  served  his  country,  and  no  record  of  his  career  after 
discharge. 

Thompson,  Andrew  C.  :  age  18,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Tierney,  Francis  :  age  38,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64:  trans  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  di  .  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Towner,  John  E.  :  age  22,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  deserted  April  29, 
'64;  Vet.  of  Co.  G,  1st  111.  Vols.;  record  and  address  since  desertion 
unknown ;  bounty  jumper. 

31 


482 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Waite,  Charles  H. :  age  19,  res.  Charlton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness,  May  6,  '64. 

Wakefield,  Wendell  P.:  age  25,  res.  Reading,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans, 
from  f>9th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Wallwork,  John  B.  :  age  19,  res.  Chelsea,  mustered  July  29,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address 
since,  unknown. 

Welch,  Patrick :  age  28,  res.  Dedham,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 

June  1,'  65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address  since, 

unknown. 
Welch,  John:  age  20,  res.  Hingham,  mustered  May  16,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 

June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  address  since, 

unknown. 
White,  Albert:  age  20,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted  April  17r 

'64;  bounty  jumper ;  no  later  record. 

White,  Goss  :  age  28,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64  :  dis.  June  16,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

White,  John  :  age  22,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service 
July  30,  '65;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

White,  John  :  age  23,  res.  Winchendon,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64 ;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65  ;  dishonorably  dis.  to  date  from  May  24,  '65,  per  Special  Order 
No  461.  War  Dept.  A.G.O.,  dated  Aug.  26,  '65;  held  in  confinement  in 
Philadelphia  County  Jail,  Pa.,  by  the  civil  authorities;  charge  unknown, 
final  disposition  of  the  case  unknown;  record  and  address  since, 
unknowrn. 

Wilcox,  George  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Willard,  James  J.  :  age  19;  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Wing,  Joseph:  age  31,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  deserted  April 
23,  '64  ;  no  later  information. 

Woodman,  Horace  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Newbury,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 


COMPANY   H. 

Allen,  DwightD.,  1st  Sergt. :  age  26,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64; 
killed  July  30,  '64,  in  battle  of  Crater,  or  Mine  Explosion,  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  Ya. 

Chase,  Charles  S.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  22,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64; 
dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Park,  William  C.,  1st  Sergt.:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64; 
died  Jan.  31,  '65,  while  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Danville,  Va. 

Bond,  Herbert  W.,  Sergt.  :  age  18,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64; 
killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 


KOSTER  —  ENLISTED   MEN.  483 


Connolly,  William,  Sergt.  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64 ;  clis. 
ex.  of  service  July  30,  'Go;  residence  soon  after,  No.  9  Graf  ton  St., 
Worcester,  Mass. 

Fox,  Patrick  W.,  Sergt.  :  age  21,  res.  Atliol,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64 :  trans,  to 
58th  Co.  V.R.C.,  clis.  Aug.  24,  '05;  residence  and  record  since,  unknown. 

Sargent,  Charles  A.,  Sergt.  :  age  21,  res.  West  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12, 
'04;  trans,  to  57th  June  1,  '(Jo;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  record 
and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Stone.  Henry  D.,  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Waltham,  mustered  March  12,  '04;  trans, 
to  57th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  after  dis., 
409  Atlantic  Ave.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Tourtelott,  George  W.,  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  residence,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Ames,  Jacob,  Corp.  :  age  40,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  12,  '04;  trans,  from 
-VJtli  June  1,  '05;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  residence  after  dis., 
Woburn,  Mass. 

Bullard,  Ira  B.,  Corp. :  age  20,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  May  24, 
'04,  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  of  wounds  received  in  action. 

Carr,  Joshua  W.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  March  12,  '64; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  residence 
since,  Marlborough,  Mass. 

Connell,  Terrence  O.,  Corp.  :  age  30,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12,  '04; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '05;  dis.  for  disability  from  Moore  Gen.  Hosp., 
Philadelphia,  Penn.,  Aug.  29,  '05;  residence  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Foster,  Walter  R.,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '04:  dis. 
July  30,  '05,  as  Sergt.,  ex.  of  service;  died  in  Worcester,  Oct.  23,  '79. 

Garrison,  Henry,  Corp.  :  age  25,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  March  12,  '04;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '05;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  residence  and 
address  since,  unknown. 

Howe,  Willard  P.,  Corp.  :  age  39,  res.  Bedford,  mustered  March  12, '04:  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '05  ;  dis.  Aug.  5,  '05,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  res 
idence  since,  unknown. 

Park,  Henry  L  ,  Corp.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '04;  killed  in 
battle  of  North  Anna  River,  Va.,  May  24,  '64. 

Patch,  George  E.,  Corp.  :  age  20,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  trans, 
to  Co.  K,  10th  regt.  V.R.C.,  March  25,  '65;  dis.  order  War  Dept  Sept. 
14,  '65;  residence,  Chandler  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Perkins,  Uriah,  Corp.:  age  27,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  12,  '64:  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  latest  address 
reported,  21  School  St.,  North  Woburn,  Mass. 

White,  Joseph,  Corp.:  age  21,  res.  West  Boylston,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 
killed  May  18,  '64,  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 

Wilson,  Charles  H.,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis. 
May  26,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Willard,  George  W.,  Corp.  :  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died 
of  wounds  received  in  battle  Sept.  18,  '64. 


484 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Young,  Charles  E.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  'G4 ; 
killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Kelly,  Michael,  Mus.  :  age1  18,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  record,  and  resi 
dence  since,  unknown. 

Spencer,  David  F.,  Mus.:  age  30,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service:  residence  soon  after,  12  Washington  Sq., 
Worcester,  Mass. 

Ainsworth,  Otis  D.  :  age  22,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May  18, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Aldridge,  George  E.  :  age  23,  res.  Hopkinton,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  50th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence,  Upton, 
Mass. 

Anderson,  James  G.  :  age  18,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Boston,  Mass. 

Arnold,  Nathan  S.  :  age  26,  res.  Button,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  1,  '64, 
order  of  Gen.  Dix. 

Atkinson,  Charles  O.  :  age  24,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  Aug.  10,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  record  and  resi 
dence  since,  unknown. 

Bailey,  Rasson  :  age  20,  res.  Sherborn,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  to  date  from  July  30,  '65,  absent 
wounded;  no  later  information. 

Barrett,  John:  age  28,  res.  Boston,  nmstered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  latest  residence  known, 
Worcester,  Mass. 

Binney,  Joseph  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Aug. 
10,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  now  practicing  physician  at  Fullerton,  Nance 
County,  Nebraska. 

Bowen,  Isaac:  age  33,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Bowen.  Michael:  age  21,  res.  New  Braintree,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May 
9,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Boyd,  John:  age  21,  res.  Brooklinc,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  residence  since, 
unknown. 

Brown,  George  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May  22, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  residence,  Salem  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Brown,  John  S.  :  age  32,  res.  Atliol,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  1,  '64, 
order  of  Gen.  Dix;  pres.  residence,  Athol,  Mass. 

Bullard,  John  L. :  age  40,  res.  Holliston,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  missing  May  12,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Burredge,  George  W.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service  July  30,  '65 ;  record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Caldwell,  William  M.  :  age  23,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness,  May  6,  '64. 


KOSTEK  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


485 


Clarke,  Horace,  Jr.  :  age  35,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  Jan.  23,  '64;  died  April  29, 
'64,  from  sunstroke,  while  on  the  march  with  the  regiment  in  Virginia. 

Coleman,  Richard,  Jr.  :  age  22,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  March  12,  '64  ;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  Aug.  10,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  residence 
since,  unknown. 

Connors,  Thomas  :  age  30,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service,  as  absent;  died  July  15,  '67. 

Cummings,  Joseph  L.  :  age  38,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Jan  11,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  8, 
'65,  by  order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Doane,  Amos  L.  :  age  44,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  June  9,  '65, 
order  War  D,ept. ;  present  residence,  146  Beacon  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Donavan,  Jeremiah:  age  19,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  April  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since, 
unknown. 

Ellick,  Eli  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  in  battle 
front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Emerson.  George  W.  :  age  33,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  11,  ;64 ;  died  Aug. 
27,  '64,  at  Andersonville,  Ga.  (prisoner  of  w?ar). 

Evans,  Joshua :  age  30,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May  12,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Ewing,  Albert  S.  :  age  26,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  in  battle 
of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Fitts,  Charles  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  May  12, 
'64.  of  wounds  received  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 

Fitzgerald,  John:  age  34,  res.  Dudley,  mustered  Oct.  31,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Fogerty,  Edward  J.  :  age  20,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  present  address,  Vine  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Fox,  James:  age  19,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  4,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Gates,  Daniel  C.  :  age  45,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64 ;  dis.  July  6,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  90  Portland  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Geer,  Edward  D. :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'(55,  ex.  of  service ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Gleason,  Charles  W. :  age  23,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  no  date  of 
dis.  or  later  information. 

Graves,  Stephen  W. :  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since, 
unknown. 

Grout,  John  E.  :  age  33,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  1,  '64, 
order  of  General  Dix;  death  reported  in  1875. 

Guillette,  Hyacintha :  age  21,  res.  Chelsea,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  to  date  from  July  30,  '65,  absent  wounded;  no 
later  information. 


486  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Gurney,  Thomas  E.  :  age  21,  res.  Newburyport,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  must,  out  with  Company  July  30,  '65;  death 
reported  Jan.  17,  '1)2. 

Hair,  Charles  N.  :  age  32,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  25, 
'64,  for  promotion;  1st  Lieut.  4th  Mass.  H.A.,  Aug.  12,  '64;  hon.  must, 
out  June  17,  '65;  died  Oct.  1(J,  '90. 

Handley.  John:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  May  6, 
'64,  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. 

Hastings.  Barney:  age  19,  res.  Boston,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1.  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Holbrook,  Phineas  L.  :  age  27,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30, '65,  absent  wounded;  late  residence,  Cherry  Valley, 
Mass. 

Horton,  James  B.  :  age  28,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Hoyt,  Henry  A.  F.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service  July  30,  '65,  absent  wounded;  pres.  address,  Rev.  Henry 
A.  F.  Hoyt,  Hospital  of  the  P.E.  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Hutchins,  Fred.  P.  :  age  43,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  10, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Putnam,  Conn. 

Johnson,  James  T.  :  age  19,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  June  16, 
'64,  in  Washington,  D.C. 

Johnson.  Joseph  J.  :  age  18,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  May  12, 
'64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 

Jordan,  Martin  L.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  in 
Washington,  D.C.,  July  18,  '64;  cause  unknown. 

Kendall,  William  P.:  age  31,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address, 
Woburn,  Mass. 

Kilpatrick,  Joseph:  age  21,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  to  date  July  30,  '65,  absent  sick. 

Ladaux,  Isaac  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Leonard,  Charles  H.  :  age  22,  res.  Groton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  May  6, 
'64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va. 

Leonard,  Daniel  A.  :  age  19,  res.  Rutland,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  Sept.  9, 
'64,  at  Danville,  Va.  (prisoner  of  war). 

Lincoln,  George  T. :  age  23,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  to  date 
July  30,  '65,  absent  wounded;  no  later  information. 

Little,  John:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Loomis,  Rodney  D.  :  age  31,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Sept.  12, 
'65,  disability;  pres.  address,  Millbury,  Mass. 

Lord,  Henry  T.  :  age  33,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  veteran  of  Co.  G,  5th 
Mass.  (9  months)  ;  residence  since  dis.,  unknown. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED    MEN.  487 


Levering,  Samuel  M.  :  age  40,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '04;  killed  in 
battle  of  Wilderness,  May  6,  '64. 

Manville,  Patrick  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  May 
24,  '64,  at  battle  of  North  Anna  River,  Va. 

Marshall,  James  A.  :  age  25,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan  11,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  North  Leominster,  Mass. 

Mathews,  Eli:  age  34,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

McCormick,  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12,  '64:  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  to  date  from  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  as 
absent  wounded. 

Merriam,  Henry:  age  30,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64:  dis.  June  17, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Merriam,  Horace:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Sept.  30, 
'64,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability;  pres.  address,  No.  51  Stevens 
St.,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Mills,  Isaac  M.  :  age  26,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  8,  '65, 
order  War  Dept.;  address  soon  after,  Sonthbridge  St.,  Worcester, 
Mass. 

Mourin,  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65:  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  un 
known. 

Murry,  Andrew:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  must,  out  July 
30,  '65;  absent  as  prisoner  of  war  since  July  30,  '64;  no  discharge 
ever  given  ;  no  later  information  from  War  Dept. ;  at  present  unknown. 

Nichols,  Nathaniel:  age  33,  res.  North  Reading,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick;  no 
later  information. 

Paine,  John  A.  :  age  38,  res.  Sutton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  Sept.  15,  '64, 
while  prisoner  of  war,  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Parker,  Marshall:  age  27,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Feb.  21, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Pickens,  John:  age  38.  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  March  12, '64:  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65;  since  unknown. 

Pierce,  John,  Jr.  :  age  28,  res  Hopkinton,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  un 
known. 

Puffer.  Jonathan:  age  39,  res.  Holliston,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  June  17, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  Vet.  Co.  K,  43d  Mass. ;  residence  since  discharge, 
unknown. 

Raymond,  James  H.  :  age  45,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Aug. 
10,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  death  reported  May  23,  '79. 

Reed,  Thomas  R.  :  age  33,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  Jan.  25,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65.  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Ricker,  Albert  M.  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  residence,  Boston  Highlands,  Boston,  Mass. 


488 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Richardson,  Lewis:  age  18,  res.  Leominster,  mustered  Jan.  11,  'G4 ;  killed  May 
6,  '64,  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. 

Rice,  William  H.  :  age  34,  res.  Oxford,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May  25,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Richards,  William  E. :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  in 
Worcester,  Mass.,  March  16,  '65. 

Robinson,  George  A.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July 
5,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  recent  address,  Meriden,  Conn. 

Rollins,  Stephen  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Spencer,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  Sept.  12, 
'64,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Ryan,  John:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan  11,  '64;  dis.  June  29,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  death  reported  March  18,  '67. 

Savage,  Henry  G.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  trans,  to  Co. 
I,  2d  V.R.C.,  Feb.  14,  '65;  dis.  order  War  Dept.,  July  22,  '65;  pres.  res 
idence,  127  Indiana  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Sharp,  Charles:  age  25,  res.  Worcester,  mastered  Jan.  11,  '64;  trans,  to  38th, 
Co.  C,  2d  Battalion,  V.R.C.,  March  4,  '65;  dis.  Aug.  11,  '65,  order  War 
Dept  ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Shamboo.  Christopher,  age  18,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  July  30,  '65,  absent  wounded;  no  later  information. 

Shamboo,  Edward:  age  21,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  Jan.  11.  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Wilkinsonville,  Mass. 

Sheern,  Dennis:  age  18,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May  15,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  death  reported  in  1891. 

Short,  Frank:  age  24,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service,  absent  sick;  no  later  information. 

Skinner,  James  M.  :  age  34,  res.  Dorchester,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65  ;  dis.  July  22,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  since  unknown. 

Smith.  Eugene:  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  May  6, 
'64,  in  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va. 

Sprague,  Amos:  age  24,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  veteran  of  Co.  D,  15th  Mass.,  from  July  12,  '61,  to 
April  15,  '62;  death  reported  Jan.  20,  '90. 

Stetson,  James  M.  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  of 
wounds  received  in  battle,  May  31,  '64. 

Stockwell.  Warren  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  res.  since,  unknown. 

Streeter  Hiram:  age  38,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  killed  June  17, 
'64,  in  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va. 

Sullivan,  Michael:  age  31,  res.  Wayland,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  June  21,  '65,  disability;  since  unknown. 

Taft,  Edward  P.:  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  May 
24,  '65,  order  of  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  17  Austin  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Temple,  Andrew  A.  :  age  19,  res.  Hopkinton,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  July  30,  '65 ;  since  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED   MEN. 


489 


Timon,  Charles:  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  clis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  death  reported  in  '86. 

Tourtelott,  Thomas  J.  :    age   25,  res.    Millbnry,   mustered   Jan.    11,    '64;    clis. 
Aug.  3,  '65;  pres.  address,  Millbury,  Mass. 


Wakeman,  George  M.  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded;  no  later  information. 

Walton,  Edward  A.  :  age  28,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  Aug. 
10,  '04,  while  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Watkins,  Henry  A.:  age  26,  res.  Hopkinton,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans. 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Webb,  Joseph  C.  :  age  32,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  died  Aug.  18, 
'64,  in  Philadelphia,  Fa.,  cause  unknown. 

Wellman,  Charles  W.  :  age  37,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans. 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address, 
Montville,  Mass. 

Wellman,  George  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  as 
corporal  to  date  from  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded  ; 
no  later  information. 

Wellman,  John  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  June  16, 
'65,  disability;  death  reported  in  '76. 

Welch,  Thomas:  age  32,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65:  dis.  to  date  from  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  absent 
prisoner;  no  later  information. 

Whittier,  William  T.  :  age  18,  res.  Haverhill,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans. 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address, 
Haverhill,  Mass. 

Wilson,  Charles  B.  :  age  32,  res.  Stoneliam,  mustered  March  12,  '64;  trans. 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Williams,  John  S.  :  age  23,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  to  date 
from  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick;  no  later  information. 

Woodcock.  Isaac  A  :  age  21,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  June 
2,  '65,  order  War  Dept.  ;  pres.  address,  No.  20  Clarkson  St.,  Worcester, 
Mass. 

Wood.  George  H.  :  age  24,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Jan.  11,  '64;  dis.  June  9, 
'65,  disability;  recent  address,  Cambridge  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 


COMPANY   I. 

McFarland,  Edwin  D.,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  31,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10, 
'64;  trans.  Feb.  17,  '65,  on  account  of  wounds,  to  V.R.C.;  dis.  order 
War  Dept.  June  19,  '65  ;  pres.  residence,  117  Thomas  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Tyler,  Titus,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  27,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Breed,  William  J  ,  Sergt.:  age  18,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service ;  recent  address, 
Northampton,  Mass. 


490  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Holmes,  Thomas  F.,  Sergt.  :  age  19,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  Jan.  5,  '64; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent 
address,  Watertowii,  Mass. 

Karpeles,  Leopold,  Color  Sergt.  :  age  23,  res.  Springfield,  enlisted  in  Co.  A, 
46th  Mass.  Inf.,  August,  '62,  Corporal  of  the  Color  Guard;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  July  29,  '63;"  must,  as  Sergt.  Co  I,  57th  Mass.  Inf.,  March  10, 
'64  ;  dis.  disability  May  7,  '65.  Received  medal  of  honor,  April  30,  '70, 
for  gallantry  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. ;  received  testimonials  from 
Colonel,  Lieut. -Colonel  and  Major  of  46th  Mass,  for  soldierly  bearing  and 
conspicuous  bravery  while  in  that  regt.  Fres.  residence,  1609  7th  St., 
N.  W.,  Washington,  D.C. 

Ober,  George  K.,  Sergt.:  age  20,  res.  Southampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 

dis.   July   30,    '65,    ex.    of   service;    pres.    residence,    Bakersfield,    Kern 

County,  Cal. 
O'Donnell,  James,  Sergt.:  age  25,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  2,  '64; 

trans,  from   59th  June    1,  '65;    dis.  July   30,  '65,  ex.  of   service;  pres. 

address,  Medway,  Mass. 

Burke,  Hugh,  Corp.:  age  26,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65;  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Brennan,  John  W.,  Corp.  :  age  27,  res.  Harvard,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans. 

from   59th  June   1,  '65;    dis.    June  13,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept.;  since 

unknown. 
Cullitin,  Pierce,  Corp.  :  age  34,  res.  Shelburne,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  dis.  Dec. 

26,  '64,  for  disability;  pres.  residence,  Chautauqua,  X  Y. 

Chambers,  James  K.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Hancock,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 
dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address  unknown. 

Gallup,  Henry  C.,  Corp.  :  age  24,  res.  Dalton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Dalton,  Mass. 

Green,  George  A.,  Corp. :  age  43,  res.  Ware,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  Aug. 
4,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  pres.  residence  unknown. 

Gould,  Harvey  W.,  Corp.  :  age  18,  res.  North  Brookfleld,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ; 
dis.  May  22,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  death  reported,  date  unknown. 

Moore,  Charles  E.,  Corp.  :  age  24,  res.  Lee,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.K.C. ;  no  date  of  trans,  or  dis;  death  reported  in  '92. 

Nason,  Edward  A..  Corp.:  age  23,  res.  Georgetown,  mustered  April  2,  '64; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  22,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  since 
unknown. 

Olds,  William  G.,  Corp.:  age  26,  res.  West  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10, 
'64;  died  of  wounds  received  in  battle  May  8,  '64  (battle  of  Wilder 
ness). 

Whiten,  Henry,  Corp.:  age  19,  res.  Ware,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.R.C.,  date  and  dis.  unknown;  no  later  information. 

Holmes,  Loren  S.,  Mus.  :  age  41,  res.  Washington,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  erroneously  reported  as  having  died  in  Phila 
delphia  in  '64  ;  residence  since  discharge,  unknown. 

Jones,  Robert  M.,  Mus.:  age  18,  res.  Holliston,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  May  29,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  recent  address, 
Fitchburg,  Mass. 


ROSTER —  ENLISTED   MEN.  491 

Lacount,  Emerson  B.,  Mas.:  age  15,  res.  Leicester,  mustered  March  6,  '04; 
trans,  to  V.U.C.  April  15,  'Go;  clis.  July  21,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  since 
unknown. 

Agnew,  Henry:  age  23,  res.  Harvard,  mustered  April  G,  '64;  deserted  April  17, 
'64;  bounty  jumper ;  not  heard  from  since  (supposed  to  be  an  assumed 
name). 

Archibald,  William  D.  :  age  24.  res.  Chelsea,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  clis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Beckwith,  Joseph  H.  :  age  24,  res.  Pittsflekl.  mustered  March  10,  '64;  reported 
missing  in  action  Aug.  19,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Bolton,  Henry:  age  26,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted 
March,  '64  ;  no  record  of  bounty  and  no  later  information. 

Bonner,  James  :  age  22,  res.  South  Hadley.  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  June  3, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Breman.  Luke  :  age  24.  res.  North  Marlboro,  mustered  March  10,  'G4 ;  deserted 
March.  1864;  no  record  of  bounty  and  no  later  information. 

Briell,  Albert  E.  :  age  20,  res.  Southampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;.  dis.  Dec. 
17.  '64,  for  disability;  since  unknown. 

Brown,  John  :  age  29,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64  ;  dis.  May  20,  '65, 
for  disability  ;  since  unknown. 

Bullock.  Amasa  R.  :  age  19,  res.  Adams,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  reported 
missing  in  action  May  24,  '64 ;  probably  killed  or  taken  prisoner  in  battle 
of  North  Anna  River. 

Baker,  Daniel:  age  18,  res.  Pittsflekl,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  in  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Bowe,  George  D.  :  age  18,  res.  Pittsflekl,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Burrows,  Peter  A.:   age  44,  res.  West  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64; 

reported  missing  in  action  May  6,  '64;  probably  killed  or  taken  prisoner 

in  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 
Carroll,  Edward:  age  44,  res.  North  Marlboro,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  trans. 

to  Co.  II,  V.K.C.,  Dec.  7,  '64;  dis.  July  26,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;   death 

reported,  date  not  known. 
Carney,  Thomas  :  age  42,  res.  Danvers,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 

June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Cardwell,  William  :  age  40,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  absent  sick,  to  date  from  July  30,  '65;  no  later 
information. 

Chapman,  Ralph:  age  42,  res.  Hancock,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  8, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. :  residence  since,  unknown. 

Church,  Horace:  age  18,  res.  Richmond,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Clark,  James  :  aiie  25,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  April  6,  '64  ;  deserted  with  bounty 
April  17,  '64  ;  not  heard  from  since. 

Clayton,  George:  age  30,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  from  July  30, '65 ; 
no  later  information. 


492  FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 

Clifford,  John  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Connor,  Cornelius:  age  18,  res.  Brighton,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Collins,  Dennis:  age  19,  res.  Washington,  mustered  March  10,  '64:  trans,  to 
V.R.C.  (no  date)  and  deserted  from  2d  Co.,  2d  Batt.,  July  27,  '65.  Reported 
in  letter  from  Company  Commander  on  file  in  office  of  A.G.,  Boston. 
Record  and  residence  since,  unknown. 

Calvert.  William  H.  M.  :  age  19,  res.  —  — ;  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Connelly,  John:  age  41,  res.  Conway,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  Sept.  3,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  since  unknown. 

Conway.  Thomas  :  age  35,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  May 
24,  '64,  in  battle  of  North  Anna  River,  Va. 

Crowe,  John :  age  21,  res.  Westboro,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex. 
of  service  (erroneously  reported  as  having  died  while  prisoner  of  war  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.) ;  died  at  Boonville,  Mo.,  Aug.  1,  1879. 

Crowley,  John  W.  :  age  30,  res.  Holliston,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  in  Co.  H;  res.  since,  unknown. 

Culliton,  Patrick:  age  29,  res.  Sterling,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  to  date  from  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Curtin,  Timothy:  age  23,  res.  No.  Marlboro,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Monterey,  Berkshire  County,  Mass. 

Dacy,  Jeremiah:  age  21,  res.  Tyngsboro,  mustered  April  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Daniels,  John  G.  :  age  43,  res.  Chicopee.  mustered  March  10,  '64;  trans,  to 
V.R.C.  Sept.  30,  '64;  no  record  of  dis.  and  no  later  information. 

Denio,  Joseph  :  age  19,  res.  Gill,  mustered  March  10, '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Dooley,  Thomas:  age  19,  res.  Middlefield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  July 
24,  '64,  cause  of  death  unknown. 

Dwyer,  Michael:  age  19,  res.  Maiden,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Hill  City,  Pennington  County,  So.  Dakota. 

Elkins,  William  G.  2cl :  age  21,  res.  Southampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Ellis,  James  W.  :  age  21,  res.  Gill,  mustered  April  12,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Elliott,  Sumner:  age  18,  res.  Wrentham,  mustered  April  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no 
later  information. 

Fisher,  Andrew  C. :  age  21,  res.  Hawley,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Fisher,  Francis  M. :  age  21,  res.  Hawley,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65; 
no  later  information. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  493 


Fortin,  Joseph:  age  19,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  May  6,  '64, 
in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. 

Foster,  James  B.  :  age  29,  res.  Palmer,  mustered  March  10,  'G4 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service  in  Co.  E. ;  death  reported,  date  unknown. 

French.  Albert  V.  :  age  23,  res.  Ware,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  June  2,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Gavin.  George:  age  33,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Aug.  1,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex. 
of  service ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Goodwin.  Cyrus  T.  :  age  34,  res.  Newburyport,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Cover,  John:  age  18,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  Jan.  21,  '65, 
for  disability;  since  unknown. 

Haley.  Martin  :  age  37,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  died  at 
Beverly,  N.J.,  Oct.  10,  '64. 

Hardy,  Elmer  J.  :  age  20,  res.  Easthampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  May 
7.  '64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  '64. 

Hardy,  Marshall  G.  :  age  22,  res.  Southampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  to 
date  July  8,  '64,  order  War  Dept. ;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Hayward,  William  A.  :  age  36,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Horton.  Winslow  T.  :  age  19,  res.  Gloucester,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Houlihan.  John:  age  45,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  at 
Annapolis,  Mel.,  March  21,  '65;  cause  of  death  unknown. 

Howard,  William  F.  :  age  19.  res.  Ware,  mustered  March  10,  '64:  died  Feb. 
23,  '65,  while  pris.  of  war  at  Danville,  Va. 

Hunt,  Ephraim  W.  :  age  21,  res.  Marlboro,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65,  and  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded,  to  date  July 
30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Hunt,  Alva  A. :  age  20,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  May  16,  '65,  on 
account  of  disability;  pres.  address,  Pittsfleld,  Mass. 

Jameson.  George:  age  33,  res.  West  Stockbridge,  mustered  Aug.  1,  '64;  killed 
Oct.  8,  '64,  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va. 

Jenne,  William  L.  :  age  22,  res.  Lenox,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  dis.  June  9, 
'65,  order  War  Dept.,  as  William  L.  Jennie;  pres.  address? Lenox,  Mass. 

Jones,  Charles  :  age  41,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  May  6, 
'64,  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  in  Co.  D. 

Kinney.  George  W. :  age  37,  res.  Uxbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  died  Sept. 
29,  '64,  at  Beverly,  N.J. ;  cause  of  death  unknown. 

King,  Hugh:  age  33,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service ;  death  reported  Nov.  10,  '93. 


494 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


King,  John:  age  21,  res  Hadley,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted  March  18, 
'64  ;  no  record  of  bounty  ;  no  later  information. 

Lado,  Leander  :  age  42,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64  ;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '(55,  as  "missing  in  action  May  12,  '64";  no  later  information. 
Probably  killed  or  taken  prisoner  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House, 
Va. 

Laha,  John  :  age  31,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  ex.  of  service  July  30,  '65  ;  since  unknown. 

Lahan.  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Lallay,  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Milford,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  Tan.  21,  '65, 
by  order  War  Dept. ;  late  residence,  Westboro,  Mass. 

Lavanthal,  Lewis  :  age  38,  res.  Westford,  mustered  Aug.  6,  '64 ;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  19,  '65,  on  account  of  disability;  since  unknown. 

Lawrence,  William:  age  25,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65-, 
no  later  information. 

Legrave,  Adolphus  :  age  18,  res.  Gill,  mustered  March  10,  '64  ;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Loud,  William  H.  :  age  24,  res.  Savoy,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  Aug.  1,  '64, 
at  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  cause  of  death  unknown. 

Macken,  Michael:  age  21,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  Aug.  8,  '65,  by  order  War  Dept. ;  since  unknown. 

Maguire,  William  :  age  19;  res.  Ware,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
by  order  War  Dept. ;  recent  address,  Westboro,  Mass. 

Mayo,  Frank:  age  28,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  deserted  March 
16,  '64;  no  record  of  bounty  and  no  later  information. 

McDaniels.  William:  age  19,  res.  Lanesboro,  mustered  Sept.  6,  '64;  dis.  Dec. 
23,  '64,  on  account  of  disability ;  Vet.  Co.  I,  49th  Mass.;  pres.  address, 
Lanesboro,  Mass. 

McGlinley,  John  :  age  41,  res.  Shelburne,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 

'65,  by  order  of  War  Dept. ;  no  later  information. 
McMan,  Thomas  S.  :  age  35,  res.  Marlboro,  mustered  April  22,  '61;  trans,  from 

59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

McRam.  Francis:  age  32,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no 
later  information. 

Masters,  John  :  age  —  — ,  res.  —  — ,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no 
later  information. 

Miller.  Alfred  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Wales,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  June  14,  '65, 
by  order  War  Dept. ;  since  unknown. 

Moore,  William  K. :  age  22,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  of 
wounds  received  in  battle,  at  Beverly,  N.J.,  Nov.  22,  '64. 

Moran,  Francis:  age  38,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Jan.  12,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED   MEN.  495 


Myers,  Sylvester:  age  42,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  clis.  for 
disability  Dec.  27,  '64;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Noble,  Cyrus  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Ware,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  ser 
vice,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

O'Neill,  Patrick:  age  18,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no 
later  information. 

Palmer,  William  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Methuen,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Perro,  Joseph:  age  23,  res.  Whately,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Pepoon,  Newton  B.  :  age  18,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Powers,  Andrew:  age  21,  res.  Adams,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  for  disa 
bility  Nov.  28,  '64;  residence  since,  Passaic,  N.J. 

Rathburne,  Charles:  age  37,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died  in 
Co.  D ;  date  of  death  and  cause  unknown. 

Rene,  Joseph  :  age  22,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded,  to  date  July  30,  '65; 
no  later  information. 

Reno,  Louis:  age  19,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65 ;  no  later  information. 

Reubeo,  Joseph:  age  22,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65,  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no 
later  information. 

Rodgers,  Mial  A.:  age  25,  res.  Newbury,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65; 
no  later  information. 

Rodgers,  Timothy  W.  :  age  21,  res.  Newbury,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65 ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Ross,  Edward:  age  26,  res.  Granby,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  May  12,  '64, 
in  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 

Russ,  Charles  D.  :  age  28,  res.  Weymouth,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Haver- 
hill,  Mass. 

Russell,  James  S.  H. :  age  26,  res.  Lynn,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Lynn, 
Mass. 

Ryerson,  Roswell  G.  :  age  21,  res.  Greenwich,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Sancomb,  David  :  age  18,  res.  Gill,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  May  24,  '64, 
in  battle  of  North  Anna  River,  Va. 

Sanguinette,  John  B.  :  age  24,  res.  Blackstone,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30, 
'65  ;  no  later  information. 


496 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Sanborn,  William  M. :  age  "18,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Schafer,  George  J.  :  age  42,  res.  Stockbridge,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  for 
disability  May  23,  '65  ;  since  unknown. 

Sedell,  Charles:  age  32,  res.  Northampton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Northampton,  Mass. 

Simmons,  Ensign  J. :  age  21,  res.  Washington,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Windsor,  Berkshire  Co.,  Mass. 

Shaw,  George  W. :  age  44,  res.  Great  Barrington,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed 
Oct.  8,  '64,  during  siege  of  Petersburg,  Va. 

Shelly,  Michael:  age  18,  res.  Great  Barrington,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed 
May  6,  '64,  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. 

Snow,  John:  age  31,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  29  Siegel  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

St.  Antoine,  Gilbert:  age  28,  res.  Shelburne,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed 
May  18,  '64,  in  battle  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 

Stanley,  Michael :  age  22,  res.  Middlelield,  mustered  March  10,  '64 ;  killed  May 
6,  '64,  in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. 

Stedman,  James  S. :  age  22,  res.  Lee,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in  battle 
of  Wilderness,  Va  ,  May  6,  '64. 

Stevens,  Romanzo  :  age  21,  res.  Richmond,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  West  Stockbridge,  Mass. 

Sullivan,  Daniel:  age  24,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65 ;  recent  address,  Fitchburg, 
Mass. 

Sullivan,  William:  age  21,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65; 
no  later  information. 

Thomas,  Charles:  age  26,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30, 
'65;  no  later  information. 

Thornton,  Patrick:  age  28,  res.  Pittstield,  mustered  March  10,  '64:  died  May  18, 
'64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Trask,  Isaac  P.  :  age  18,  res.  Taunton,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  July  30,  '65;  residence  since,  unknown. 

Walker,  Benjamin:  age  18,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  residence  since, 
unknown. 

Waters,  John  :  age  23,  res.  Middleh'eld,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  killed  in  battle 
before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  '64. 

Webster,  Silas  D.  :  age  20,  res.  Richmond,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  May  11, 
'65,  order  War  Dept.,  cause  unknown;  no  later  information. 

Welch,  Nathaniel:  age  38,  res.  Pembroke,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Exeter, 
N.H. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN.  497 


Wheeler,  Otis  E.  :  age  22,  res.  Windsor,  mustered  April  6,  T>4 ;  killed  May  G,  '64, 
in  battle  of  Wilderness,  Va. 

White,  George  E.  :  age  18,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  No.  6  North  Lake  St.,  Chicago,  111. 
Head  of  the  extensive  hard  wood  lumber  firm  of  George  E.  White*&  Co., 
Chicago,  111.  Director  of  Chicago  National  Bank.  Has  served  as  alder 
man  in  Chicago,  and  State  Senator  in  Illinois.  Has  exerted  a  large 
influence  throughout  the  State,  and  elected  a  member  of  the  54th  Con 
gress  from  Illinois,  by  a  large  plurality. 

Wheeler,  Warren  W.  :  age  37,  res.  Holliston,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30.  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  West  Medway,  Mass. 

Wilcox,  George  W.  :  age  24.  res.  Great  Barrington,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  died 
June  11,  '64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Williams,  Wesley  R.  :  age  21,  res.  Lee,  mustered  March  10,  '64  ;  dis.  Oct.  30,  '65» 
at  Boston,  Mass.,  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  amputation  of 
right  leg  caused  by  wounds  received  in  battle;  dis.  as  IstSergt.;  pres. 
address,  Mount  Vernon,  Skagit  County,  Washington. 

Williams,  George  W.  :  age  44,  res.  Boston,  mustered  Feb.  20,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick;  no  later  infor 
mation. 

Woodville,  William  :  age  27,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Wright,  Charles  :  age  40,  res.  Adams,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  May  30,  '65, 
for  disability;  since  unknown. 

Writer,  Orion  E.  :  age  20,  res.  Hadley,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Young,  Daniel  N.  :  age  20,  res.  Dalton,  mustered  March  10,  '64;  dis.  May  29, 
'65,  order  War  Dept.,  cause  unknown;  no  later  information. 


COMPANY   K. 

Kelly,  Theodore  L.,  1st  Sergt.:  age  30,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64; 
dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  614  East  Fifth  St.,  South 
Boston,  Mass. 

Shaftoe,  William,  1st  Sergt.  :  age  40,  res.  West  Springfield,  mustered  April  6, 
'64;  dis.  June  13,  '65,  order  War  Dept.  ;  pres.  address,  Fall  River,  Mass. 

Brigham,  George  H.,  Sergt.  :  age  18,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64; 
dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Marlborough,  Mass. 

Calvey,  George  B.,  Sergt.  :  age  34,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  Jan.  7,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

McEver,  Hugh,  Sergt.:  age  30,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Oakes,  William  F.,  Sergt.:  age  19,  res.  Bernardstou,  mustered  April  6,  '64; 
taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Stedman,  March  25,  '65;  dis.  at  Annapolis,  Md., 
June  2,  '65;  per  General  Order  77,  War  Dept.,  A.G.O.  '05;  pres. 
address,  Fitchburg,  Mass.;  veteran  of  previous  service;  organization 
unknown. 

32 


498 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Hill,  Joseph  W.  Corp.  :  age  2G,  res.  Marlborougk.  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  'Go,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Charlestown,  Mass. 

Lowell,  Frank  H.,  Corp.  :  age  20,  res.  Marlborougk,  mustered  April  G,  'G4  ;  dis. 
July  30,  'Go,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address,  Bangor,  Maine. 

O'Callaghan,  Timothy,  Corp.  :  age  29,  res.  Marlborougk,  mustered  April  21, 
'G4 ;  trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since 
unknown. 

Pickett,  George  T.,  Corp. :  age  30,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  dis.  June 
13,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  pres.  address,  17  Otis  St.,  Boston,  Mass.; 
veteran  49tk  Mass. 

Pratt,  Edwin,  Corp.  :  age  19,  res.  Marlborougk,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Richardson,  Charles  E.,  Corp.  :  age  19,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  April  21,  '64; 
trans,  from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent 
address,  Woburn,  Mass. 

Smith,  George  H.,  Corp.:  age  18,  res.  Boston",  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service. 

Wyman,  Arthur  B.,  Corp.  :  age  19,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  April  21,  '64 ;  trans, 
from  59tk  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  15,  '65,  order  War  Dept.;  cause 
unknown;  no  later  information. 

Buxton,  Marcus  M.,  Mus.  :  age  18,  res.  Woburu,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans, 
from  59tk  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  recent  address, 
Ckicago,  111. 

Harley,  Thomas,  Mus.:  age  18,  res.  Dedkam,  mustered  April  21.  '64;  trans, 
from  59tk  June  1,  '65  ;  reported  as  kaviug  deserted  May  23,  '64;  no  later 
information.  Possibly  killed  or  taken  prisoner 

Adams,  John:  age  36,  res.  Oakkam,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30,  '65, 
ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Allcott,  Frank:  age  18,  res.  Newton,  mustered  April  6, '64 ;  dis.  June  19,  '65, 
order  War  Dept.  ;  cause  unknown  ;  no  later  information. 

Allen,  Henry:  age  18,  res.  Ludlow,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of  service, 
absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Andrews,  William:  age  21,  res.  Millbury,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  wounded,  to  date  July  30;  '65 :  no  later  information. 

Antoine,  Louis:  age  23,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30, 
'65  ;  no  later  information. 

Armstrong,  James:  age  30,  res.  Ckarlton,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  deserted  with 
tke  bounty,  April  17,  '64;  no  later  information. 

Barnes,  Joseph  W.  :  age  25,  res.  Marlborougk,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  Aug. 
8,  '65,  order  of  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Marlborough,  Mass. ;  veteran 
of  5th  Mass. ;  cause  of  discharge  unknown. 

Beggs,  Charles:  age  18,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Bemis,  Amasa  B.  :  age  35,  res.  Chester,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  deatk  reported  in  '83. 


ROSTER  —  ENLISTED    MEN. 


499 


Benton,  George  W.  :  age  43,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  0,  '64;  died  May 
12,  '64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Bigelow,  Theodore  S. :  age  37,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  0,  'G4 ;  dis.  June  5, 
'05,  order  War  Dept. ;  cause  unknown;  no  later  information. 

Boise,  Daniel:  age  32,  res.  Southbridge,  mustered  April  6,  '04;  obtained  the 
bounty  and  deserted  April  17,  '04;  no  later  record. 

Bowers,  Edwin  F. :  age  20,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  'Co;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '('.5; 
no  later  information. 

Bradley,  John  S.  :  age  35,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '05  ;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Brooks,  James  P.:  age  20,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  died  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  July  14,  '04;  cause  of  death  unknown. 

Bushnell,  Levi  B.  :  age  30,  res.  Ilinsdale,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  deserted  April 
20, '04;  bounty  jumper ;  no  other  record. 

Byam,  Salathial  A.  :  age  38,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  killed  June  17, 
'04,  in  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va. 

Cadagan,  Michael:  age  19,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  died  at 
Washington,  D.C.,  Aug.  0,  '04,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Carleton,  Hubbard:  age  34,  res.  Shelburne,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  died  June  1, 
'04;  cause  unknown. 

Chapman.  Henry  C. :  age  21,  res.  Hancock,  mustered  Sept.  10,  '04;  dis.  June 
10,  '05,  order  of  War  Dept. ;  cause  unknown;  no  later  information. 

Coley,  Michael:  age  29,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '05;  dis.  July  15,  '05,  order  War  Dept.;  cause  unknown ;  no 
later  information. 

Daniels,  Charles  L. :  age  19,  res.  Pittsfleld,  mustered  April  0,  '64;  died  July  29, 
'04  ;  cause  and  place  unknown. 

Daniels,  Lowell:  age  18,  res.  Pittstield,  mustered  April  0,  '04 ;  killed  May  18, 
'04,  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House.  Va. 

Dean,  Samuel:  age  44,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '05;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Doolittle,  William  H.  :  age  22,  res.  Windsor,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis.  June  6, 
'05,  order  War  Dept.:  recent  address,  Northfield,  Mass.:  cause  of  dis 
charge  unknown. 

Dow,  Albert  W.  :  age  19,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  killed  May  6, 
'04,  in  battle  of  Wilderness. 

Downing,  Robert  E.  :  age  18,  res.  Egremont,  mustered  April  25,  '04 ;  trans. 
from  59th  June  1, '65;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Dunbar,  Thomas  F.  :  age  37,  res.  Southborough.  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis. 
July  18,  '04,  disability;  since  unknown. 

Eaton,  John,  Jr.,:  age  34,  res.  Maiiborough,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  died  May 
30,  '04  ;  cause  and  place  unknown. 


500 


FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Ennis,  William  :  age  27,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  21,  '04 ;  trans,  from  59th 

June    1,    '05;    dis    ex.    of  service,    absent   sick,    to   date    July  30,   '05; 

no  later  information. 
Exley,  Edward  W. :  age  18,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  clis.  July 

30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 
Fairfield,  John  H.  :  age  40,  res.  Windsor,  mustered  Feb.  29,  '04;  dis.  July  30, 

'05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 
Foley.  Michael:  age  25,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from  59th 

June  1,  '05;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Gallagher,  Thomas:  age  18,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from 

59th   June    1,  :G5 ;    dis.    ex.    of    service,  absent   sick,    to    date   July  30, 

'05  ;  no  later  information. 
Gildea,  Charles  M.  :  age   18,  res.  Newton,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis.  July  30, 

'05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 
Gill,  Henry  L.  :  #ge  20,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  trans,  to  Co.  I,  2d 

V.R.C. ;  dis.  July  22,  '05,  order  of  War  Dept.  ;  record  and  address  since, 

unknown. 
Gouch,  Edwin  J. :  age  44,  res.  Pittsfield,  mustered  Sept.  1,  '04;  dis.  Aug.  8,  '05, 

order  War  Dept. ;  cause  unknown  ;  no  later  information. 

Goulding,  Henry  C.  :  age  34,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis. 
July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service,  as  absent  on  detached  service;  pres.  address, 
No.  2020  State  St.  Chicago,  111. 

Gregory,  Henry  A.  :  age  34,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis.  Nov.  27, 
'04,  disability;  since  unknown. 

Gregre,  Phillip:  age  25,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '05;  clis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Hart,  David  A. :  age  19,  res.  Adams,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  July  14,  '05,  at 

Philadelphia;  cause  unknown. 
Harrington,  Francis  M.  :  age  20,  res.  Boylston,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis.  July 

20,  '05,  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Northborough,  Mass.     (Veteran 

53d  Mass.) 
Harris,  John  J. :  age  19,  res.  Charlestown,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from 

59th  June  1,  '05;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Hayward,  Wesley  F. :  age  19,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  April  6,  '04;  dis.  July 
30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Heath.  Gilford  P.  :  age  21,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis.  July 
30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Northborough,  Mass.  (Veteran 
51st  Mass.) 

Hayward,  Elijah  B.  :  age  42,  res.  Chicopee,  mustered  April  0,  '04  :  dis.  May  18, 
'05,  order  War  Dept. ;  since  unknown. 

Holyoke,  Eugene  J.  :  age  22,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  dis.  May 
27,  '05,  disability;  death  reported,  date  unknown. 

Holyoke,  Samuel  H.  :  age  39,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  March  31,  '04;  dis. 
July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service;  death  since  reported,  date  unknown. 

Hopkins,  Sterling  A.:  age  30,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  0,  '04;  mortally 
wounded  and  died  upon  Wilderness  battlefield  May  0,  '04. 

Howe,  Albert  W.  :  age  19,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  04;  mortally 
wounded  and  died  upon  battlefield  at  the  Mine  Explosion,  or  "  Crater," 
Julv  30,  '04. 


ROSTER —  ENLISTED    MEN.  501 


Howe,  Sanborn  O. :  age  18,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  ex. 
of  service,  absent  wounded,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information ; 
pres.  address,  Hudson,  Mass. 

Hurley,  Michael:  age  19,  res.  Fitchburg,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '65;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Hyzer,  Henry  J.  :  age  IS,  res.  Brookline,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Kimball,  Oliver  S. :  age  30,  res.  Adams,  mustered  April  6,  '64  ;  died  June  25,  '64, 
in  Co.  D  ;  cause  and  place  not  known. 

Laberman,  Charles:  age  19,  res.  Hinsdale,  mustered  March  31,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65  ;  no  later  information. 

Laclere,  Zotique  :  asre  19,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  April  21,  '64  ;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  disability,  Jnne  7,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  cause 
unknown ;  no  later  information. 

Lambert,  Charles:  age  21,  res.  North  Reading,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '6o7  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Lee,  Smith  J.:  age  20,  res.  Grafton,  mustered  April  8,  '64;  dis.  Sept.  16,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Marlborough,  Mass. 

Lewis,  Charles  A.:  age  18,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  Feb.  17, 
'65,  disability;  since  unknown. 

Loud,  Charles  Q.  :  age  21,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  March  23,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Northborough,  Mass. 

Lovely,  Frank:  age  19,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Lynch,  Hugh  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Stoneham,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Mahan,  Dallas  P.:  age  19,  _res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service •  pres.  address,  99  Grafton  St.,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Mahan,  Roger:  age  21,  res.  West  Roxbury,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65  ;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Marsh,  Jeremiah  W.  :  age  32,  res.  Westborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  died 
May  6,  '64,  on  battlefield  of  Wilderness,  Va.,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Mason,  Alonzo  R.  :  age  40,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Maynard,  Isaac  G. :  age  42,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  in  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
March  18,  '65,  disability:  died  Aug.  8,  '93. 

McCarthy,  Callaghan  :  age  25,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknowTn. 

McOsker,  Ow«n  :  age  40,  res.  Lowell,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Merriam,  Francis  J.  :  age  26,  res.  Chelsea,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  Jnne  1,  '65;  dis.  July  7,  '65,  disability;  since  unknown. 

Merritt,  John:  age  21,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Miller.  Andrew  J.  :  age  22,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  Aug.  10,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  since  unknown. 


502 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Miller.  John  A..  Jr.  :  age  18,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Mitchell,  Charles:  age  21,  res.  Springfield,  mustered  April  0,  '64;  dis.  ex.  of 
service,  absent  sick,  to  date  July  30,  '65;  no  later  information. 

Mitchell.  John  F.  :  age  18,  res.  Graf  ton,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  trans,  to  Co.  E, 
24th  V.li.C. ;  dis.  July  24,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Graftou, 
Mass. 

Morse.  Charles  S.  :  age  35,  res.  Boston,  mustered  March  21,  '64;  died  Nov.  30, 
'64 :  cause  and  place  of  death  unknown. 

Nolan.  Maurice  H.  :  age  27,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  dis.  June 
12,  '65,  order  War  Dept. :  recent  address,  San  Diego,  California. 

Ordway,  William  D.  :  age  21,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '65;  dis. 
May  22,  '65,  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Hudson,  Mass. 

Page.  Robert  A.  :  age  28,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  dis.  Aug.  10,  '65, 
order  War  Dept. ;  cause  unknown  ;  no  later  information. 

Parsons.  George  C.  :  age  39,  res.  Worcester,  mustered  Sept.  1,  '64;  dis.  June 
16,  '65,  in  Co.  D,  order  War  Dept. :  cause  unknown ;  no  later  information. 

Perry.  Henry  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  died  April  9, 
'65,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Phelps.  Stephen  H.  :  age  19.  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6.  '64;  died  Aug. 

26.  '64.  while  prisoner  of  war  at  Andersonville,  Ga.     (Starvation   and 

exposure.) 
Pike,  William:  age  39,  res.  Gill,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  dis.  July  30.  '65,  ex.  of 

service  (veteran  4th  Vermont) ;  residence  since  dis.,  unknown. 

Pond.  Erastus  W.  :  age  22,  res.  Marlborongh,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Prentiss.  William,  Jr.  :  age  20,  res.  Holyoke,  mustered  March  24,  '64;  died  June 
June  18,  '64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Pindee.  John:  age  21,  res.  South  Hadley,  mustered  April  21,  '64:  trans,  from 
59th  June  1.  '65  ;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  wounded,  to  date  July  30,  '65; 
no  later  information. 

Rand,  Ebenezer  :  age  42,  res.  Stow,  mustered  Aug.  20,  '64:  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Rawson,  Lester  W.  :  age  28,  res.  Great  Barrington,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  killed 
June  17,  '64,  in  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va. 

Rice,  Edwin  C.  :  age  18,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64  ;  killed  June 
22,  '64,  during  siege  of  Petersburg,  Va. 

Richards.  John  H.  :  age  20,  res.  Richmond,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  reported  as 
"  missing  in  action  May  6,  '64,  in  Co.  I,"  probably  killed  or  taken 
prisoner  in  battle  of  Wilderness;  no  later  information. 

Richardson,  Gustavus  :  age  18,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died 
July  25,  '64,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  cause  unknown. 

Rice.  Lucien  B.  :  age  20,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July  30, 
'65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Pittstield,  Mass. 

Ripley,  Willard :  age  31,  res.  Southbridge,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  obtained 
bounty  and  deserted  April  17,  '64;  no  other  information. 


ROSTER — ENLISTED   MEN.  503 


Rogers,  John  B.  :  age  30,  res.  Newton,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  July  2G,  '64, 
of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Sargent.  Henry:  age  28,  res.  Northborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  June 

21,  '65,  order  of  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Northborough,  Mass. 

Schneider,  Edward  M.  :  age  18.  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  June 
19,  '64,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Sinclair.  Henry  C.  :  age  30,  res.  Shelburne,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  deserted 
April  19,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  no  other  record  known. 

Smith,  Herbert  O.  :  age  26,  Westborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  May  24, 
'65.  effects  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Smith.  John:  age  20,  res.  "Windsor,  mustered  April  6.  '64:  dis.  (from  Co.  G) 
July  30,  '(Jo.  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Smith.  Vernon:  age  25,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  11,  '64;  died  March  9,  '65, 

while  prisoner  of  war  at  Anclersonville,  Ga. 
Spear,  Benjamin  A.  :  age  25,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  June  9, 

'65,  order  War  Dept. :  cause  unknown  ;  no  later  information. 

Stevens.  Ira  W.  :  age  19.  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64:  dis.  June  6, 
'65,  order  War  Dept. ;  cause  unknown;  no  later  information. 

Stickney.  Lafayette:  age  19,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  June 

22,  '65.  order  War  Dept. ;  pres.  address,  Marlborough,  Mass. 

Stowe.  George  H.  :  age  19,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  killed  May 
18,  '64,  in  battle  near  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 

Strong,  Franklin  F.  :  age  18.  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  July 
30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Marlborough,  Mass. 

Thaley,  Dominick  :  age  33,  res.  Roxbury,  mustered  April  21,  '64,  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65;  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Thomas.  John  :  age  32,  res.  Lawrence,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65.  as  •'  absent,  prisoner  of  war,  since  May  24,  '64,"  never  joined 
57th,  but  must,  out  and  dropped  from  the  rolls  with  the  final  muster  out 
of  the  regiment  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  no  later  information. 

Tulley,  James:  age  24,  res.  Georgetown,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '65:  dis.  July  30,  '65,  ex.  of  service;  since  unknown. 

Walcott,  Thomas  W.  :  age  23,  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis. 
July  30,  '65.  ex.  of  service;  pres.  address,  Marlborough,  Mass. 

Wells.  William:  age  22,  res.  Boston,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  trans,  from  59th 
June  1,  '65;  dis.  ex.  of  service,  absent  prisoner,  to  date  July  30,  '65; 
no  later  information. 

West,  Milo  :  age  21,  res.  Windsor,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  died  Aug.  4,  '64,  of 

wounds  received  in  battle. 
Wheeler,  Albert  C.  :  age  21,  res.  Windsor,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  April  14, 

'65,  order  War  Dept.  ;  cause  unknown;  no  later  information. 

Whipple.  William  H.  :  age  18,  res.  Boylston,  mustered  April  6,  '64;  dis.  May 
29,  '65.  order  War  Dept.,  on  account  of  injuries  received  while  serving 
with  his  regiment  in  the  trenches  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  20, 
'64:  pres.  address,  87  Thurston  St.,  Somerville,  Mass. 

Williams.  Daniel :  age  26,  res.  Adams,  mustered  April  6,  '64 ;  deserted  April 
17,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  latest  record. 


504 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Woodruff,  John:  age  26,  res.  Southampton,  mustered  April  G,  '04;  clis.  June 
27,  'G5,  disability  from  wounds  received  in  battle,  loss  of  left  leg,  pres. 
address  unknown. 

Wyman.  George  D.  :  age  18,  res.  Woburn,  mustered  April  21,  '04;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '05  ;  dis.  July  30,  '05,  ex.  of  service ;  recent  address,  Woburu, 
Mass. 

UN  ASSIGNED   RECRUITS. 

Berry,  Charles  R.  :  age  43,  res.  Tyngsborough,  mustered  April  21,  '05:  trans, 
from  59th,  absent  sick,  June  1,  '65,  date  of  dis.  unknown ;  no  later 
information;  probably  never  joined  the  57th. 

Clark,  Benjamin  F.  :  age  27,  res.  Orange,  mustered  April  21,  '64;  deserted  May 
1,  '64;  bounty  jumper;  no  other  information  (name  probably  assumed)  ; 
never  joined  the  57th. 

Crosby,  John:  age  32;  res.  Marlborough,  mustered  April  2,  '64;  trans,  from 
59th,  absent  paroled  prisoner,  June  1,  '65 ;  no  later  information ;  no 
record  of  having  joined  the  57th. 

Kittridge,  John  F.  :  age  19,  res.  Beverly,  mustered  Dec.  5,  '63;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1,  '05;  without  remark,  no  later  information;  probably  never 
joined  the  57th. 

Leonard,  Frank  H.  :  age  22,  res.  Wellfleet,  mustered  Jan.  14,  '04;  trans,  from 
59th  June  1 ,  '65 ;  without  remark,  no  later  information ;  probably  never 
joined  the  57th. 

McDermott,  William:  age  21,  res.  Cambridge,  mustered  April  21.  '64;  trans, 
from  59th  June  1,  '65,  but  never  joined  57th;  appointed  2d  Lieut,  in  54th 
Mass.  April  4,  '05;  promoted  1st  Lieut.  July  17,  '65;  must,  out  Aug.  20, 
'05  ;  record  and  address  since,  unknown. 

Sears,  Barnabas:  age  43,  res.  Adams,  mustered  Aug.  1,  '04;  dis.  as  rejected 
recruit,  Aug.  20,  '64;  no  other  information ;  never  joined  the  57th. 


Our  thanks  are  hereby  extended  to  E.  B.  Stillings  for  the  unselfish  inter 
est  he  has  shown  in  the  publication  of  this  work,  and  for  his  patient,  untiring 
labor. 


INDEX . 


The  figures  refer  to  the  number  of  the  page. 

Regiments  are  indexed  under  the  name  of  the  States  to  which  they  belon: 


Adams,  1st  Sergt.  Co.  G  (1st  Lieut.), 
293,  295. 

Alexander,  Phil.,  correspondence  of, 
281,  282. 

Allen,  A.  S.,  death  of,  379,  380. 

Allen,  Dwight  D.,  Sergt.  Co.  H,  193. 

Allman,  Corp.  Samuel,  Co.  C,  ir>G. 

Anderson,  Lieut.  John  (Capt.  U.S.A.), 
22,  1G3,  175,  182,  379,  380;  letter  of, 
416,  417. 

Anderson,  Confederate  Gen.,  75,  7G. 

Andrew,  Gov.  John  A.,  3,  9,  10,  11; 
letter  of,  52;  155,  215,  234,  357,  385, 
409. 

Andersonville,  317,  319,  345,  347  ;  Con- 
fed,  report  of,  352. 

Anthony,  William,  102. 

Association,  New  England,  332,  333. 

Association,  57th  Mass.  Regimental, 
356,  et  seq. 

Barker,  38. 

Barker,  Lieut.  Charles  (Capt.),  60. 

Barlow,  Brig.-Gen.,  113,  116. 

Barnard,  Lieut.  Charles  E.,  death  of, 
400,  401. 

Badeau,  47;  Fed.  loss  in  Wilderness, 
125. 

Barnes,  Comrade,  377. 

Barnes,  Col.  J.  H.,  29th  Mass.  (Bvt. 
E.G.),  206,  211 ;  letter  of,  219  et  seq. ; 
227,  229,  234. 

Barrett,  Uriah,  Co.  H,  231. 

Bartlett,  E.  A.,  death  of,  379,  380 

Bartlett,  Col.  (Gen.)  W.  F.,  J,  4,  9, 
10,  12,  37,  39,  49,  50,  51,  57,  69,  106, 
160;  letter  of,  161,  2;  177,  179,  183, 
letter  of  188 ;  do,  193,  198,  203,  204, 
205,208,  209,210,  211,  etseq.j  219, 
220,  221,  226,  227;  quoted,  331,  332, 
356,  357,  375,  376;  resolutions  on 
death  of,  360,  361;  death  of,  384; 
eulogies,  life  of,  384;  et  seq.,  409. 

Barton,  Capt.  G.  E.,  22,  58;  letter  of, 
91;  do  107,  108;  do  149,  159,  160, 
163,  175,  176,  182,  299,  310,  357; 
resolutions  on  death  of,  362,  et  seq. ; 
eulogy  and  funeral  of,  390,  et  seq. 


Barton,  Judge  Ira  M.,  390. 

Bemis,  Amasa  B.,  death  of,  365. 

Beals,  James,  poem  of,  413,  414. 

Beauregard,  Confed.  Gen.,  134,  168, 
187. 

Bertraud,  38. 

Bigelow,  Hon.  J.  W.,  56. 

Bills,  Wilbur,  409. 

Bintlift',  Col.  James,  Comdg.  3d  Brig 
ade,  299,  311. 

Birney,  Gen.,  98. 

Bliss,'  Col.  Comdg.  1st  Brigade,  180, 
197. 

Boiling,  Gen.  Stith,  Address  of,  373. 

Bond^Lieut.  20th  Mass.,  60 

Boston  Journal,  q noted,  329,  330. 

Bowles,  Rev.,  383. 

Bowman,  Lieut.,  Samuel,  4,  93,  159, 
160,  162,  163,  334,  335,  359. 

Brackett,  Capt.  L.  C.,  289. 

Breckenridge,  Confed.  Gen.,  91,  112, 
118,  283. 

Brcwnzen,  38. 

Brooke,  Brig.-Gen.,  113. 

Bross,  Lieut. -Col.  John  A.,  187. 

Browrn,  Absirus,  letter  of,  92. 

Brown,  J.  Stewart,  letter  of,  92. 

Bukardy,  George,  Pvt.  Co.  C,  68. 

Billiard",  Charles,  376. 

Bullard,  Frank  W.,  371. 

Bullard,  Corp.  Ira  B.,  107,  108. 

Burch,  Capt.  3d  Maryland,  287. 

Burleigh,  Asa  D.,  367. 

Burnside,  Maj.-Gen.  Ambrose  (9th 
A.C.),  18,  20,  21,  26,  32,  35,  75,  77, 
79,  80.  81,  82,  89,  109,  117,  119,  125, 
127,  145,  149,  168,  169;  plans  of, 
170;  171,  172,  173,  174;  Order  of, 
174,  175;  183,  196,  197,  198,200,201, 
202,  214,  216,  218,  219,  221,  222,  224, 
225;  letter  of,  226;  229,  230,  329, 
333,  357. 

Butler,  Gen.  B.  F.,  72,  91,  112,  252. 

Capelle,  Col.  William  C.,  Asst.  Adjt.- 
Gen.,  413;  letters  of,  416,  418. 

Canada,  2,  189. 

Carter,  I.  C.,  333. 


506 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Carleton,  correspondent  Boston  Jour 
nal,  letter  of,  147. 

Chandler,  H.  F.,  361,  371. 

Chandler,  Lieut. -Col.,  57th  Mass.,  37, 
38,  39,  50,  51,  84,  92,  102,  103,  105, 
106,  200,  335,  359. 

Chapin,  David  N.,  Co.  B,  364,  393. 

Chase,  Sergt.,  Co.  H,  276,  293,  295. 

Charity,  Sisters  of,  158,  159,  347. 

Cheney,  1st  Lieut.  E.  D.,  155,  103,  335, 
359 

Cheney,  Corp.  F.  S.,  Co.  C.,  293,  295. 

Childs,  Lieut.  J.  M.,  6,  56,  68,  334,  335. 

Christ,  Col.  Comdg.  Brig.,  137,  139. 

Church,  Poplar  Grove,  battle  of,  241, 
et  seq. 

Churchill,  James  K.,  391. 

Cochran,  Capt.  Frederick,  368. 

Coe,  Lieut.  E.  I.,  4,  143,  144,  335,  359. 

Clark,  Capt.  21st  Mass.,  206,  210. 

Clark,  Pvt.  Horace,  20. 

Clarke,  Col.  Thomas  W.,  202,  212,  219  ; 
narrative  of  Maj.Doherty,  260;  ac 
count  of  Stedman,  266,  295. 

Club,  Union  League  of  N.Y.,  333. 

Cold  Harbor,  Battle  of,  110,  et  seq. 

Commission,  Christian,  58,  59,94,  158. 

Commission,  Sanitary,  58,  94,  158. 

Committee,  Congressional,  Report  of, 
200,  201,  202. 

Connecticut,  1st  Regt.,  H.A.,  253,  287, 
293,  2d  Artillery,  114. 

Congress,  Confed.  report  of,  244. 

Collins,  Alonzo,  409. 

Constitution,  57th  Mass.  Regtl.  As 
sociation,  368,  et  seq. 

Cook,  Lieut.  (Bvt.  Major)  J.  II.,  6, 
156,  159,  163,  357,  358,  359,  361;  in 
memory  of  Capt.  Barton,  362,  et  seq. ; 
report  of  By-laws,  368,  371,  373, 
376,  377 ;  eulogy  of  Gen.  Bartlett, 
384,  et  seq\  on  death  of  Gen.  Bart 
lett,  398,  399. 

Cook,  Gen.  Phil.,  Confed.,  brigade  of, 
117,  283. 

Cooke,  Capt.  A.  W.,  264,  299,  303. 

Cooper,  William,  16. 

Cooley,  Scrgt.  John  J.,  142. 

Coppee,  Henry  A.  M.,  quoted,  213. 

Cowdin,  Col.  Robt.,  395. 

Crater,  Battle  of,  167,  et  seq.;  notes 
on,  by  Clarke,  203,  et  seq. 

Crawford,  Gen.,  75,  113. 

Crittenden,  Gen.,  98,  99,  100,  109,  110, 
129. 

Crosby,  John,  409. 


Curley,  Pvt.,  38. 

dishing,  Major,  410. 

Cutler,  Gen.,  75. 

Daley,  Pvt.,  38. 

Dashiell,  Chaplain    A.  II.,  38,  69,  86; 

letter  of,   105 ;   146 ;  letter   of,   147 ; 

190  ;  letter  of,  192  ;  account  of  death 

of    Maj.    Doherty,  258;    261,    277; 

quoted,  220;    quoted,    314;    quoted, 

332 ;  359,  361,  376,  377,  378,  379,  380, 

410. 
Dana,  Asst.  Sec.  of  War,  dispatch  of, 

316. 
Davis,  Maj.  George   B.,    U.S.  Army, 

265. 
Davis,  Jefferson,  193;  address  of,  317; 

319,  321,  322,  327,  331 ;  in  last  ditch, 

351. 

Dale,  Surg.-Gen.,  of  Mass.,  409. 
Deaths,    list   of   by    Companies,    402, 

et  seq. 
Defose,  1st  Sergt.  (2cl  Lieut.)   Charles 

L.,  38,  156. 

Delaney,  Pvt.,  Patrick,  Co.  A,  230. 
Derby,  Pvt.,  38. 
Dewey,  1st  Lieut.  E.  S.,  93. 
Dodge,  Amos  A.,  death  of,  367. 
Doherty,  Pvt.  Cornelius,  Co.  G,  245. 
Doherty,    Capt.     (Major)   James,    85, 

123,  145,  239,  240,  258,  259,  260,  262, 

266,  270,  275,  277,  293,  294,  295,  334, 

335,  359,  410. 
Doty,  Sergt.  (1st  Lieut.,  Bvt.  Capt.), 

159,  160,  163,  175,  187,  229,  231,  249, 

275,  333;  death  of,  393,  407. 
Dresser,  Capt.    E.  T.,    175,   181,   190, 

199,  333,  335,  359,  409. 
Duane,  Major,  Engineer   Corps,   131, 

172  ;  report  of,  225. 
Duggal,  Pvt.,  38. 
Early,  Confederate  Gen.,  112,  113,  114, 

117,  118,  265. 
Edgecomb,  George  R.,  resolutions  on 

death  of ,  357. 
Elbert,  Pvt.,  38. 
Elliott,  Gen.  commanding  Confederate 

Brigade,  168. 
Ellis, 'Albert  C.,  92. 
Ely,  Col.,  commanding  Brigade,  252, 

255,  285,  288,  309. 
Everett,  Charles  F.,  54,  55. 
Ewell,  Gen.  R.  S.,  Confederate  Gen., 

25,  33,  76,  90,  96,  118,  254. 
Examiner,  Richmond,  quoted,  352. 
Express,  Petersburg,  311. 
Fitch,  Charles,  92. 


INDEX. 


507 


Fitchburg  in  the  War,  quoted,  3-45, 

Fitchburg,  358. 

Flags,  return  of,  344. 

Foster,  Walter  R.,  resolutions  on 
death  of,  3G4  ;  306  ;  eulogy  of,  392  ; 
in  memoriam  of,  392. 

Ferrero,  Brig.-Gen.,  128,  175,  197,  198, 
205,  210,  218 

Fox,  Col.  W.  F.,  Fed.  loss  in  Wilder 
ness,  47;  regimental  losses,  335, 
336,  337;  prison  statistics,  348,  349, 
351. 

Fry,  Gen.  J.  B.,  report  of,  337,  338; 
tabular  statement  of  losses,  339. 

Galucia,  Capt.  W.  B.,  56th  Mass.,  56, 
159.  160,  413. 

Georgia,  Brigade  of,  187. 

Gibbon.  GenT,  116,  307,  316. 

Gird,  Capt.  J.  W.,  52,  53,  200,  410. 

Girardy,  Capt.  (Confederate),  187. 

Goddard,  Pvt.  Wesley  D.,  Co.  A,  mor 
tally  wounded,  230. 

Goodwin,  Charles,  366. 

Goodwin,  1st  Lieut.  (Capt.)  Charles 
L.,  157,  163  ;  resolutions  on  death  of, 
356,  366;  eulogy  of,  282,  283. 

Gordon,  Gen.  John  B.,  76,  81,  117,  247, 
254,  263,  265,  266,  271.  275,  280, 
281,  282,  283,  284,  290,  291,  297. 

Gould,  Austin  K.,  57,  58,  59;  descrip 
tion  of  Andersonville,  345,  c.t  seq. ; 
eulogy  of,  397,  398. 

Gould,  Major,  E.  P.,  267,  362,  371. 

Gould,  Major,  J.  P.  (59th  Mass.),  139, 
140,  160,  200,  206. 

Gould,  Pvt.,  38. 

Grandon,  Pvt.,  38. 

Grant,  Gen.  U.  S  ,  26,  27,  28,  32,  33, 
46,  47,  49,  50,  71,  72,  80,  118,  119, 
123,  125,  126,  129,  163,  164,  171,  173, 
184;  memoirs  of,  198:  199,  200,  201, 
222,  237,  241,  252,  298,  298,  299,  300, 
302,  304;  despatch  of,  308;  309,  313, 
314,  319,  352. 

Great  Britain,  2,  340. 

Greene,  Lieut.  G.  S.,  123. 

Gresg,  Brig. -Gen.,  241,  248,  249. 

Griffin,  Col  ,  180,  216. 

Grimes,  Warren,  resolutions  on  death 
of,  365. 

Grout,  John  E.,  resolutions  on  death 
of,  359. 

Hall,  J.  Brainerd,  52,  57,  59,  91,  92,  361, 
365,  378,  38<>:  tribute  to  Austin  K. 
Gould,  397,  398. 

Hall,  J.  Elmer,  377. 


Hancock,  Gen.  W.  S.  (Second  Corps), 
26,  33,  35,  36,  50,  75.  78,  81,  82,  96, 
119,  120,  127,  128,  133,  136,  165,  172. 

Hare,  Frank,  377. 

Harriman,  Col.  Samuel,  252,  267,  269, 
270,  286,  306. 

Harrington,  Pvt.  Francis  M.,  191,  192, 
365. 

Harrington,  Pvt.,  38. 

Harley,  C.,  death  of,  379,  380. 

Harris,  Col.  12th  Miss.,  102. 

Harrison,  Burton  N.,  319. 

Hastings,  Pvt.,  38. 

Hatcher's  Run,  battle  of,  247,  ft  scq. 

Hartranft,  Brig. -Gen.,  24!),  252,  256, 
269,  271,  272,  273,  284,  285,  286,  288, 
289,  292,  298,  306. 

Hawkins,  Luther  C.,  resolutions  on 
death  of,  359. 

Heath,  Asst.  Surg.,  366,  poem  by,  367 ; 
death  and  eulogy  of,  396,  410. 

Heth,  Confederate  Gen.,  117. 

Higginson,  Col.  T.  W.,  415. 

Hill,  Confederate  Gen.  A.  P.,  25,  36, 
76,  96,  97,  109,  112,  188,  231,  232, 
247,  254,  257,  265. 

Hincks,  Gen.  comcl'g  colored  troops, 
133,  136. 

History,  Medical  and  Surgical;  Con 
federate  loss  in  battle  of  Wilderness, 

47,  123. 

Hitchcock,  Capt.  A.  O.  (Bvt.  Major), 

48,  259,  275,  331,  367,  377. 
Hoke,  Confederate  Gen.,  114. 
Holland,    James    H.,    resolutions    on 

death  of,  359,  383,  384. 
Hollis,  Capt.  C.  D.,  59,  60,  61,  62,  357, 

410. 

Hollister,  Lt.-Col.  E.  P.,  9,  10,  106. 
Hooker,  Maj.-Gen.,  333. 
Hopkins,  Col.  W.  S.  B.,  391. 
Howard,  Pvt.,  38. 
Howe,  Capt.  George  H.,  22,   181,   182, 

188,  189,  199,  227,  333,  335,  359. 
Horrigan,  Robert  C.,  55. 
Humphreys,  Brig. -Gen.  :    Fed.  loss  in 

Wilderness,  47,  77,  79,  97,   119,   136, 

166  ;  report  of  strength  of  opposing 

armies,  229 ;    quoted,  248 ;   (comclg. 

div.  in  Second  Corps),  257. 
Hunter,  Gen.,  118,  120,  128. 
Huts,  description  of,  243. 
Ide,  1st  Lieut.  H.  M.  (Bvt.  Capt.)  249; 

resolutions  on  death  of,  365,  402. 
Infantry,  U.S.  Regular,  4th  and  10th 

regiments  of,  89,  98,  200. 


508 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Inquiry,  Court  of,  report  of,  196,  197, 

200,  201,  202,  203,  225. 
Intrenchments,  Federal,  description  of, 

front  of  Petersburg,  150,  151. 
Jameson,  Pvt.  George,  240. 
Jewell,  Col.  13th  Virginia,  113. 
Jewett,  Surgeon,  59. 
Johnson,    Confed.    Gen.,  77,    81,    284, 

290. 

Johnston,  Confed.  Gen.,  252,  293,  317. 
Jones,  Capt.,  14th  N.Y.  H.A.,  205. 
Jones,  Charles,  409. 
Jones,  Col.  H.  C.  (Confed.),  282. 
Jones,  Rev.  Henry  L.,  391. 
Jones,  W.  E.  (Confed.)  118. 
Jordan,  E.  E.,  404. 
Joslyn,  Lieut.  Henry  C.,  268,  269. 
Karpeles,  Sergt.  Leopold,  37,  38,  101, 

105. 

Kautz,  Gen.,  133. 
Keunay,  Lieut.,  163. 
Kershaw,  Confed.  Gen.,  114,  321. 
Killed  (battle  of  Wilderness),  62,  63. 
Kimball,  Gen.,  377. 
Kinney,  Pvt.  George  W.,  Co.  I,  230. 
Kir  by,  Jacob,  409. 
Langdon,  Pvt.,  38. 
Lappell,  Pvt.,  38. 
Lawrence,  Capt.   Levi,    60,    145,  358 ; 

death  of,  367 ;  eulogy  of,  394,  395. 
Lawry,  David   F.,  resolutions,   death 

of,  358;  402. 
Leasure,  Colonel  100th  Penn.,  69,  82, 

106. 
Ledlie,  Gen.  J.  H.,  129,  137,  162,  174, 

197,   198,  200,  202,  203,  204,  209,  211, 

212,    213,    214,    216,    217,    220,   221; 

report  of,  222,  223;  224,  230,  274. 
Lee,  Fitzhugh,  Confed.  Gen.,  114,  118, 

125,  134;  report  of  mine,  187;  257; 

account  of  Fort  Stedman,  265. 
Lee,  Gen.  R.  E.,  27,  28,  32,  33,  46,  49, 

50,  62,  71,  72,  73,  84,  88,  90,  91,  95, 

96;   telegram  of,  97;  107,  109,  110, 

117,  118,  120,  121,  124,  125.  129,  130, 

142,   150,  187;  report  of  mine,  188; 

232,  248,  252,   265,    279;    report   of 

Stedman,    283;  293,    300,    310,    313, 

314,  315,  316,  317,  319,  323. 
Leonard,  Charles  H.,  56. 
Letter,  G.  E.  B.,  154,  155. 
Letter,  G.  F.  S.,  153,  154. 
Lincoln,  Abraham,  1,  3,  193,  298,  314; 

assassination  of,  322,  323;  329. 
Lincoln,  Hon.  D.  Waldo,  10. 
Lincoln,  Miss  Frances  M.,  10,  11. 


Longstreet,  Gen.  James,  25,  36,  74,  76, 
113,  114,  232,  247,  254,  265. 

Loring,  Colonel,  221. 

Lossing,  Historian,  quoted,  295,  298. 

Lost  Cause,  353. 

Lovering,  Samuel,  92. 

Lowell,  Pvt.,  38. 

Luchay,  Abraham,  93. 

Magazine,  the  Blue  and  Gray,  234. 

Magner,  1st  Sergt.  William,  Co.  B, 
293,  295. 

Mahone,  Confed.  Gen.,  187,  188,  231; 
address  of,  374,  375. 

Maine,  20th  Regt.  of,  21,  34. 

Maine,  7th  Battery,  86. 

Maine  1st  H.A.,  loss  in,  335,  336. 

Maloney,  Henry  C.,  56. 

Marsh,  George  W.,  378. 

Marsh,  Jeremiah,  378. 

Marshall,  Comdg.  2d  Brig.,  1st  Div., 
9th  A.C.,  177,  202,  203,  204,  205,  206, 
207,  208,  209,  210,  211,  212,  215,  216, 
220,  274. 

Marshall,  Lieut.  James  H.  (Bvt.  Capt.), 
276,  304,  305 ;  resolution,  death  of, 
378. 

Maryland,  3d  Batt.  of,  205,  215,  233, 
249,  256,  267,  269,  270,  271,  272,  273, 
292,  330. 

Massachusetts,  Adjt.-Gen.,  report  of, 
240,  334,  335,  336;  casualties,  Wil 
derness,  67,  68. 

Massachusetts,  21st  Regt.  of,  10,  200, 
205,  208,  210,  214. 

Massachusetts,  25th  Regt.  of,  10. 

Massachusetts,  29th  Regt.  of,  205,  208, 
212,  214,  220,  233,  266,  269,  272,  276, 
286,  290,  291,  292. 

Massachusetts,  35th  Regt.  of,  98,  200, 
204,  214,  215. 

Massachusetts,  49th  Regt.  of,  4. 

Massachusetts,  56th  Regt.  of,  200,  208, 
214,  215. 

Massachusetts,  57th  Regt.  of,  organi 
zation,  1-14;  98,  200,  205,  208;  cas 
ualties,  Wilderness,  62,  63,  64,  65; 
do,  Spottsylvania  C.H.,  82,  86,  87, 
90;  North  Anna  River,  103,  104; 
Cold  Harbor,  123;  Petersburg  (17th 
June),  143,  144;  to  July  30,  163; 
do  Petersburg  Mine,  185.  186,  187; 
do  Weldon  Railroad,  231 ;  do  Poplar 
Grove  Church,  238;  Poplar  Grove 
Church  2d,  240;  do  Fort  Stedman, 
262,  263;  334,  335,  336,  337;  order 
for  muster  out,  332  ;  muster  out,  343. 


Massachusetts,  59th  Reut.  of,  98,  200, 
205,  208,  215,  23,3,  256,  267,  209,  272, 
27G,  285,  290,  291,  292,  330;  consoli 
dation,  331. 

Massachusetts,  Wright's  Light  Batt  , 
102,  253. 

Massachusetts,  13,  94. 

May,  George,  409. 

May,  Henry,  409. 

Mathews,  Maj.,  17th  Michigan,  288, 
289. 

McCabe,  Mrs.,  58. 

McClelian,  Gen.,  1(53  ;  Irish  Brig.,  215  ; 
398. 

McFarland,  Sergt.  E.I).,  38,  40,  102, 
138,  149,  157,  376,  377. 

McKibbin,  Lieut.,  236. 

McLaughlen,  Col  (Gen.)  N.  B.,  1G2, 
203,  233,  249,  2GO,  2G4,  266,  267,  268, 
269,  270,  271,  272.  273,  274,  278,  284, 
285,  287,  289;  report  of,  290,  291; 
293,  330,  333,  339  ;  death  of,  395,  396. 

McMahon,  Col.,  116. 

Meade,  Gen.  George  G.,  26,  32,  33,  78, 
80,  81,  84,  109/113,  120,  126,  136, 
140,  141,  168,  169,  170;  order  of, 
171,  172;  173,  174,  179,  182,  187,  196, 
198,  200,  201,  202,  212,  218,  219,  221, 
222,  225,  226,  241,  298;  order  of, 
303;  305,  308,  309,  323. 

Michigan,  2cl  Regt.  of,  255,  285,  288 ; 
17th  Regt.  of,  288;  20th  Regt.  of, 
288;  1st  Regt.  Sharpshooters,  288, 
309. 

Memoriam.  Chapter  in,  381,  et  seq. 

Medals  of  Honor,  273. 

Miles,  Gen.  N.  A.,  331. 

Mills,  Pvt.,  38. 

Mine,  Petersburg  (or  crater),  ex 
plosion  of,  167,  et  seq. 

Minnesota,  1st  Regt.  of,  loss  at  Gettys 
burg,  338. 

Missing,  Wilderness,  65. 

Moore,  Asst.  Adjt.-Gen.  II. ()  ,  G.A.R., 
414. 

Moore,  William  A.,  resolutions  death 
of,  365. 

Mortar,  description  of,  150. 

Mosby,  Col.  (Guerilla),  60,  61. 

Mott,  Gen.,  77,  78,  80,  172. 

Mumford,  Thomas  T.,Confed.  General. 
Order,  No.  6,  317,  at  seq. 

Murdock,  1st  Lieut.  Albert  M.,  261, 
262,  276,  335. 

Murdock,  Cyrus  M.,  261, 

Napoleon  III.,  2,  330,  331. 


Newton,  Pvt.,  38. 

Neville,  Pvt.  William,  Co.  A,  230. 

New  York,  14th  H.A.,  205,  207,  208, 
210,  212,  233,  256,  266,  270,  272,  285, 
287,290,  291;  179th  Batt.  of,  205; 
19th  Light  Batt.,  253;  50th  Regt. 
of,  330. 

Ninth  Army  Corps,  18,  21,  83;  posi 
tion  of,  in  Wilderness,  35  ;  position 
of,  87,  125,  141,  et  seq.;  at  Fort 
Stedmau,  252,  et  seq.;  loss  of,  257; 
casualties  in,  82. 

North  Anna  River,  Battle  of,  95,  et 
seq. 

North  Carolina,  214;  57th  Regt.  of, 
276. 

Northern  Virginia,  Army  of,  position, 
25,  et  seq. ;  loss  at  Spottsylvania, 
83 ;  strength,  229 ;  position,  247 ; 
strength,  ^248 ;  301,  302,  309;  sur 
render,  315,  316;  casualties,  Wilder 
ness,  47;  Cold  Harbor,  123. 

Oakes,  Sergt.  William,  Co.  F,  story 
of  Maj.  Doherty's  death,  259;  293, 
295. 

O'Donnell,  Sergt.  John,  293,  295. 

O'Donnell,  Michael,  resolutions  death 
of,  364. 

Olin,  lion.  W.  M  ,  415. 

O'Neill,  John,  409. 

Ord,  Gen.  Comdg.,  18th  Corps,  172, 
201. 

Osborne,  W.  H.,  Historian  29th  Mass., 
219;  letter  of,  221. 

Palladium,  Worcester,  extracts  from, 
333,  334. 

Park,  Corp.  Henry  L.,  366. 

Park,  Sergt.  William  E.,  366. 

Parke,  Gen.  John  G.,  Comdg.  9th  A.C., 
230,  241;  report  of  Stedman,  284; 
report  of,  286;  298,  308,  303;  305, 
309,  323,  329,  331. 

Parker,  David,  Pvt.,  Co.  I,  68. 

Parks,  Sergt.  George  H.,  191,  192. 

Pasco,  Cephas,  resolutions,  death  of, 
360. 

Peabody,  William  T.,  Co.  F,  death  of, 
346. 

Peacock,  Lieut.  James,  262 ;  death  of, 
365;  402. 

Pegram,  Confed.  Gen.,  Batt.  of,  177; 
249. 

Pegram' s  Farm,  243. 

Pendleton,  Confed.  Chief  of  Artillery, 
report  of,  316. 

Penland,  Pvt.,  38. 


510 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT    MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Pennsylvania,  2cl   Artillery,  Regt.  of, 

205,  206,  208,  209,  210:   100th  Regt. 

of,  205,  208,  210,  214,  215,  233,  266, 

269,  270,  271,  272,  273,  286,  289,  290, 

292,  330 ;  200th  Regt.  of,  288  ;  208th 

Regt.  of,  271,  272",  273,  292;  209th 

Regt.  of,  288. 

Perry,  Pvt.  Henry  II.,  Co.  K,  230. 
Pentecost,  Col.,  100th  Penn.,  266,  289, 

293. 

Pepoou,  N.,  409. 
Petersburg,    133,    et  seq.,  description 

of  Confed.  defences  of,  134, 135,  136. 
Phillips,  Antonio.  57,  58. 
Phillips,  Capt.  Worces.  State  Guards, 

262. 
Pickets,  description  of,  151,  152,  154, 

155. 
Pickett,  Confed.  Gen.,  division  of,  91, 

109:  charge  at  Gettysburg,  338. 
Pickett,  Gen.  J.,  377. 
Pike,  Pvt.,  38. 
Pinkham,    Lieut.    Charles    H.     (Bvt. 

Capt.),  257;  letter  of,  274;  289,  293, 

295,  356,  371,  375,  378,  379. 
Pipson,  Pvt.,  38. 
Pleasants,    Lt.-Col.   48th   Penn.,    167, 

168,  174. 
Pollard,   Lost   Cause,    quoted,  324,  et 

seq.,  351. 
Pope,  Gen.,  28. 
Poplar  Grove  Church,  battle  of,  237, 

et  seq. 

Potomac,  Army  of,  strength  and  posi 
tion  of,  26  ;  order  of,  29,  126,  et  seq. ; 

in  Wilderness,  loss  of,  47 ;    loss  at 

Spottsylvania  C.IL,  83;    loss,  110; 

do,  124;  do,  166-,  do  at  Petersburg, 

187:   strength  of,  229:  do,  248;  301; 

morale    of,    239 ;    position    of,    247 ; 

loss  at  Stedman,  257;  312,  316,  319, 

320,  323. 
Potter,  Brig. -Gen.  comdg.  2d  Div.  9th 

A.C.,   117,   125,   137,    141,    167,    168, 

174,  180,  198,  216,  225,  233,  238,  284, 

306,  308. 

Potter,  1st  Lieut.  Edward  F.,  262,  407. 
Powell,    Lt.-Col.    W.    H.,    quoted    in 

"Battles  and  Leaders  of   the  Civil 

War,"  215:  218,  220. 
Priest,  Lieut.  George  E.,  7,  356,  358, 

360,  366.  377,  37  S~  379;   of,  John  II. 

Cook,  399. 
Prescott,  Capt.  (Major)  Albert,  39,  48, 

102,  162,  163,  175/176,  181,  190,  191, 

199,  205,  333,  335. 


Prison,  Libby,  290,  317. 

Pry  or,  Roger  A.,  313. 

Randall,  Lieut.,  4th  U.S.  Inf.,  208,  211; 

Maj.  George  M.,  comdg.  14th  N.Y. 

H.A.,  253,  269,  270,  285,  287. 
Randol,  Col.,  360. 
Randolph,    Sergt.,    100th   Penn.,   270, 

271. 
Ransom,  Confederate  Gen.,  264,  283, 

288. 

Rathborn,  Charles,  409. 
Rathborn,  William,  409. 
Raymond,  James  H.,  resolutions,  death 

of,  364. 

Raymond,  Maj.  E.  T  ,  377. 
Reade,  Lieut.  (Bvt.  Capt.)  John,   163, 

175. 

Rebellion  Records,  casualties  in  Wil 
derness,  47  ;  222  ;  quoted,  225. 
Refreshment   Rooms,  Cooper,  15,  16, 

17. 
Republic,  Grand  Army  of,    Post   10: 

391,  392;  Post  No.  113,  398. 
Resolutions     Confederate    Congress, 

194,  195. 

Reunions,  Regimental,  355,  et  seq. 
Richards,  Maj.  William  V.,  291,  293. 
Richardson.    Maj.    Charles    T.,    29th 

Mass.,  266,  269,  290. 
Ricochet  fire,  description  of,  137. 
Robinson,  Gen.  John  C.,  75. 
Robinson,    Col.    G.  P.,    3d  Maryland, 

205-212,    271,    272,    273,    289,    291; 

report  of,  292;  311. 
Rode,  Confederate  Gen.,  113,  117. 
Roemer,  Major,  comdg.  Fed.  Battery, 

288. 

Rollins,  Pvt.,  38. 
Rosser,  Confed.  Cav.,  302. 
Roster  of  officers,  4,  5,  6  :  419,  et  seq. ; 

enlisted  men,  430,  et  seq. 
Royce,   Lieut.   (Bvt.  Major),    Charles 

H.,  37,  38,  103,  159,  160,  163. 
Rumsey,  Pvt.,  38. 
Salisbury,  Hon.  Stephen,  367. 
Sanderson,  Capt.  John   W.,  4;  death 

of,  367:  eulogy,  393,  394. 
Schaffer,  George,  409. 
Schneider,  Rev.  Benjamin,  145. 
Schneider.  Pvt.  Edward  M.,  145,  146, 

147. 

Scott,  Jesse  S.,  402. 
Seddon,  Hon.  J.  A.,  97. 
Sedgwick,  Gen.,  26,  75,  76. 
Shaler,  Pvt.,  38. 
Shaw,  Pvt.  George  W.,  240. 


INDEX. 


511 


Sheridan,  Gen.,  29,  114,  128,  165,  166, 
172,  800,  304. 

Sherwin,  Waldo,  90. 

Shorkley,  Capt.,  271. 

Shumway,  D.,  404. 

Sigfried,  Col.,  180. 

Siegel,  Gen.,  91. 

Smith,  Gen.,  112,  119,  120,  127,  133. 

Smith,  Lieut.  Green,  207,  209. 

Snow,  Capt.,  235. 

Souther,  1st  Sergt.,  Co.  B,53,  54,  200. 

Southey,  Pvt.,  38. 

Spottsylvania  Court  House,  battle  of, 
71-94. 

Spragne,  Gen.  A.  B.  H.,  377. 

Spy,  Worcester,  56,  57,  108. 

Squares,  Pvt.  Truman,  89. 

St.  Antome,  Pvt.  38. 

Stedman,  Fort,  Battle  of,  251-298. 

Stevens,  Charles  E.,  poem,  54. 

Stevenson,  Gen.,  commanding  1st 
Brig;.,  1st  Div.,  9th  A.C.,  35,  36,  79, 
82,  110,  200. 

Stragglers,  405-419. 

Streeter,  Pvt.,  38. 

Stuart,  Confed.  Gen.,  75. 

Sturgis,  Lieut.  Thomas,  57,  269,  290. 

Simmer,  E.  V.,  Corps,  W.R.C.,  378. 

Swords,  Capt.  (Bvt.-Major),  287,  290, 
356. 

Taylor,  Col.,  109. 

Teague,  John,  resolutions,  death  of, 
365. 

Tennyson,  Charge  of  the  Light  Brig 
ade,  338. 

Terry,  Confed.  Gen.,  283. 

Thomas,  Col.,  180. 

Thompson,  W.  I).,  377. 

Tidball,  Col.,  225,  267,  272,  285,  372. 

Timon,  Charles,  resolutions,  death  of, 
371. 

Towers,  Pvt  ,  38. 

Tribune,  The  National  of  Washington, 
prison  statistics,  349,  350,  351. 

Tripp,  Capt.,  29th  Mass.,  206. 

Trnssell,  Augustus  J.,  death  of,  366. 

Tucker,  Lieut.-Col.  J.  M.,  67,  107,  110, 
111,  138,  145,  149,  163,  233,  258,  266, 
275;  report  of,  294;  299,  329;  reso 
lutions,  death  of,  356;  eulogy  of, 
381,  382. 

Tufts,  Col.,  Mass.  State  Agent,  193. 

Turner,  Maj.  Dick  (Confed"),  279,  280. 

Upton,  Gen.,  78,  80. 

Union  dead  at  Columbia,  S.C..  350, 
351. 


Venable,  Col.  (Confed.),   109. 

Valley  Gleaner,  of  Lee,  quoted,  396, 
397. 

Vocell,  James,  409. 

Wade,  U.S.  Senator,  202. 

Wadsworth,  Gen.,  36,  40,  41. 

Walker,  Lt.-CoL,  52d  Va.,  113. 

Walker,  Rev.  E.  A.,  14. 

Walters,  Sergt.  Jack,  208. 

Walton,  Edward  A.,   108. 

Walton,  Gilderoy  and  Dolly,  108. 

Ward,  Capt.  H.  C.,  37,  38,  93;  account 
of  Fort  Stedman,  277,  280;  letters 
of,  281,  282. 

Warren,  Adjt.,  204. 

Warren,  Gen.  G.  K.,  26,  35,  75,  78,  80, 
81,  90,  96,  109,  119,  126,  127,  129, 
136,  171,  172,  235,  248. 

Way  land,  Francis,  20. 

Weiseger,  Gen.  (Confed.),  187. 

Weitzel,  Gen.,  322. 

Welch,  James,  resolutions,  death  of, 
359. 

Weld,  Col.,  56th  Mass.,  206. 

Weldon  Railroad,  Battle  of,  228-237  ; 
casualties  of,  231. 

Wrellman,  Frank,  360. 

Wellman,  George,  364. 

Westwood,  146,   147. 

Whipple,  W.  II.,  378,  379,  380. 

White,  Gen.,  commanding  Brig,  and 
Div.,  9th  A.C.,  171,  229,  233,  234, 
235. 

White,  George,  410. 

White,  Surg.  W.  V.,  59,  73,  146;  let 
ter  of,  234;  320,  367,  375,  378;  letter 
on  organization,  408,  et  seq. 

Whittier.  John  Greenleaf,  poem  by, 
389,  390. 

Wilcox,  Gen.,  commanding  3d  Div., 
9th  A  C.,  35,  82,  117,  141,  174,  180, 
197,  198,  217,  231, -233,  238,  247,  252, 
284,  285;  report  of  Fort  Stedman, 
287,  288,  289;  302,  306,  309,  311, 
324,  329,  332. 

Wilderness,  Battle  of,  23-69. 

Willard,  Pvt.  George  W.,  38,  231. 

Williams,  Wesley  R.,  277,  293,  295. 

Willis,  Col.,  12th  Georgia,  113. 

Wilson,  Gen.  J.  H.,  125,  126,  172. 

Wilson,  Pvt.,  38. 

Winder,  Gen.  (Confed.),  352. 

Wisconsin,  2d  Reirt.  of  loss,  335. 

Wise,  Gen.  (Confed.),   133. 

Woodbury,  Augustus,  Historian  9th 
A.C.,  170;  quoted,  233. 


512 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT   MASS.    VOLUNTEERS. 


Woodcock,  Isaac  A.,  resolutions,  death  Wright,  Gen.  (Confed.),  187. 

of'  371.  Wurtz,   Capt.    (Confed.  at  Anderson- 
Wool,  Camp  John  E.,  4,  14,  15,  49,  409.  ville),  345. 

Worthy,  Corp.  William,  242.  Young,  Charles  E.,  366. 

Wounded,  Wilderness,  63,  64.  Youngmau,  John  C.,  A.A.-G.,  9th  A  C 
Wright,  Gen.   (6th  A.C.),   77,  80,  81,  306. 

119,  120,  127. 


R  R  A  T  A  . 


Line  13,  page  143  :  The  paragraph  should  read  as  follows  : 
"The  number  of  killed  alone,  including  officers,  was  eighty-four, 
being  nearly  ten  per  cent.  Of  the  one  hundred  and  eighty  it 
took  into  the  battle  of  Petersburg,  June  17th,  one  officer,  Lieut. 
Edwin  I.  Coe,  and  ten  enlisted  men  were  killed." 

Page  162  :  McLaughlin  should  be  spelled  McLaughlen. 
Page  200  :   Southey  should  be  Souther. 


